The challenges of using serum ferritin to guide i.v. iron treatment practices in patients on hemodialysis with anemia.

Andrea Easom

Journal: Nephrology nursing journal : journal of the American Nephrology Nurses' Association 2006;33(5):543-51; quiz 552-3

PMID: 17044438

Abstract

Expert guidelines recommend routine administration of intravenous iron therapy and frequent monitoring of iron status for patients on hemodialysis who are being treated for anemia with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. However, monitoring iron status using conventional markers, such as serum ferritin, may be complicated by acute and chronic inflammation and malnutrition, which are common in this patient population. Therefore, nephrology nurses must be knowledgeable of the limitations of using serum ferritin to assess iron status and how to interpret high serum ferritin values to effectively treat patients on hemodialysis with anemia.

Address: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Little Rock, USA.

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