Why it is performed
- Confirm and classify anaemia.
- Detect iron deficiency due to blood loss, diet, pregnancy or malabsorption.
- Distinguish iron deficiency from inflammation or other causes.
- Monitor treatment response and avoid unnecessary supplementation.
How it is performed
The CBC identifies low haemoglobin and characterises red-cell size. Ferritin estimates stores, while iron and saturation reflect circulating availability.
Preparation
- Do not take iron immediately before collection unless instructed.
- Report heavy menstruation, pregnancy, gastrointestinal bleeding, diet and blood donation.
- Inflammation may raise ferritin and mask deficiency, so CRP may be added.
How Askabide processes it
Combined pathway
The CBC is processed at Askabide. Iron and other available parameters are measured by dry chemistry or immunoassay; inactive determinations are referred.
Part is performed at Askabide and another phase or confirmation is processed externally.
Results and indicative intervals
Intervals vary by method, analyser, reagent, units, age, sex, pregnancy, menstrual-cycle phase and reference population. The valid interval is the one printed on the laboratory report.
| Parameter or result | Indicative reference | How it is interpreted |
|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | H: 13–18 / M: 12–16 g/dL | Anaemia thresholds vary with sex, pregnancy, age and context. |
| MCV | 80–100 fL | Low suggests microcytosis; high suggests macrocytosis, without establishing cause. |
| Ferritin | Método, sexo y laboratorio dependientes | Low ferritin supports iron deficiency; normal or high ferritin does not exclude it during inflammation. |
| Transferrin saturation | ≈20–45 % | Low values indicate less available iron; high values occur with overload, supplements or other causes. |
| Vitamin B12 | Aproximadamente 200–900 pg/mL | Borderline values may require additional markers and clinical correlation. |
Important limitations
- Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant.
- Not every anaemia is due to iron deficiency and treatment should not be blind.
- B12 and folate values are method-dependent and not interpreted alone.
- The cause of iron loss should be investigated, especially in men and postmenopausal women.