Iron (acute)
Urgent Iron is only available via prior arrangement with the laboratory.
| Tube | 01 (SE) - Serum Gel |
|---|---|
| ID | Tests&Tubes0071 |
| Additional Information | IRON POISONING: Usually occurs in children due to accidental poisoning. Occasionally overdoses have occurred in adults. Pregnant women on iron supplements may pose a particular clinical problem. If toxicity is suspected it is vital to treat the patient immediatelty before any laboratory iron estimation is obtained. A guide to the amount of iron tablets ingested may be obtained by an abdominal X-ray (within 4 hours) which also shows if emptying is complete. As a guide blood should be taken for serum iron 4 hours post ingestion. However the variety of iron formulations on the market today, together with the lack of knowledge on it's kinetics means treatment should not be based upon iron estimations. Poisons centre advice is as follows: Blood taken 4 hrs post ingestion. A serum iron between 55 - 90 umol/L should be treated with I.M chelation therapy (desferrioaxamine). A serum iron between >90 umol/L should be treated with I.V chelation therapy. |
| Turn Around | A&E: 1 hour Day Case: N/A In-Patient: N/A Out-Patient: N/A GP: N/A |
| Send to | Blood Sciences Cross Site |
| Contact | For further details please contact Leeds Pathology customer services: leedsth-tr.pathologycustomerservice@nhs.net. |
| Collection Con | Minimum volume: 500µl serum Instructions for Lab Staff: Standard lab processing- No special requirements |
| Sample REQ | Blood |
| Ref. Range Notes | Blood Sciences reference ranges are available through the useful information and links page: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/a-z-of-services/pathology/blood-sciences/useful-information-and-links/ |
| Units | umol/L |
| Telepath | FEA1L |
| ICE Codes | LFEA |
