Is Serum Iron Level Of 18.4 A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Fri, 24 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 Answered on

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I've recently been to hospital twice after becoming unwell and had full blood count done twice which the hospital said were normal but when my gp looked at the results she suspected hemochromatosis as my iron level was 18.4
would the hospital not of been able to determine this when they done the bloods

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Normal iron level is 50 to 150 ug/dl

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.

Your iron level is 18. Normal iron level is 50 to 150ug/ dl. So either there is some mistake in interpretation or unit or it may be some other test.

Moreover iron level is not measured in CBC report. So there is some mistake. Please send me your reports so that I can help you further.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any doubts then feel free to ask me. I will be happy to answer.

Thanks for using HealthcareMagic.
Wish you a very good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (26 hours later)

I don't have access to the blood report itself could my doctor have been referring to the hemoglobin level and if so what would a higher range indicate

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be due polycythemia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.

If it suggest hemoglobin level then it can be due polycythemia Vera or secondary polycythemia due to dehydration or some other cause.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any doubts then feel free to ask me. I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D