Hi,
Needing some help to clarify the difference between haemoglobin levels and
ferritin levels.
Have a local GP who switches between the two readings depending on which one
is lowest and suggests/insists on iron injections.
Levels I've had quoted from some of the women are:
Hb 107
Ferritin 14
another: Hb 109
Ferritin 13
These two women are both 32 weeks.
Just needing clarification and some evidence about the relevance of
both/either readings. Hb levels seem fine to me - a bit foxed by the
ferritin level - one woman had dropped from 120 early pregnancy to 14 now...
Look forward to your fine input,
Sue
Hi Sue....
my understanding of the difference between the two is... Hb is the measurement of functional iron used in O2 transport and cellular respiration (just did my A&P on blood and respiration :-)) ) and serum ferritin (SF) reflects the measurements of available storage levels of iron (as ferritin protein in plasma) ....therefore storage iron (SF) measurements could be used as indicators of iron 'stores' available for metabolic needs... It makes sense does it not then that SF levels would drop over the length of the pregnancy as iron stores were are utilised to accommodate increased metabolic needs in pregnancy and the growing baby??? I suppose the million dollar question is what is an acceptable drop in SF....?? I can't help you with this bit :-)
yours in reforming midwifery,
Tina pettigrew.
B Mid Student Victoria University
