RT Journal
A1 SCOTT G
T1 DIagnosis of iron deficiency
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1989
FD May 1
VO 149
IS 5
SP 1222
OP 1222
DO 10.1001/archinte.1989.00390050166041
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1989.00390050166041
AB To the Editor.—The article by Thompson et al1 in the October 1988 issue of the Archives makes an important contribution to the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. Because the traditional methods of diagnosis are questionable, I hope that all laboratories will acquire the ability to measure free erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin testing is rapid, simple, and cheap.2 It will not replace serum ferritin or bone marrow examination, but it is an excellent screen for iron deficiency and should be more widely available.