Iron is a vital component of red blood cells (RBCs). It's a part of hemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.
While a complete blood count (CBC) doesn't directly measure iron levels, it can detect signs of iron deficiency anemia by looking at red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrit. These values can be significantly lower in patients with iron deficiency anemia.
To diagnose iron deficiency anemia, doctors usually order additional tests like a ferritin test, which measures the amount of iron stored in the body, and transferrin saturation, which measures how much iron is bound to transferrin, the protein that transports iron in the blood.
It's important to note that a CBC alone cannot diagnose iron deficiency anemia. However, it can be a useful tool for identifying patients who may need further testing for iron deficiency.
