Hemosiderin Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.

The serum iron for normal adults is about 50-150ug/dl.The iron binding capacity is normally 250-400ug/dl.The transferrin saturation is usually between 20-50%Persons with alpha thalassemia, especially Hb H disease, may have a slightly increased level of serum iron with a slightly decreased iron binding capacity. The percent of transferrin saturation is usually increased.An iron stain of bone marrow smears usually demonstrate increased levels of hemosiderin. Sideroblasts are present along with an occasional ringed sideroblast.

Persons with beta thalassemia may have a slightly increased level of serum iron with a slightly decreased iron binding capacity. The percent of iron saturation is normal to slightly increased.An iron stain of bone marrow usually demonstrates increased levels of hemosiderin. Sideroblasts may be present.

Storage forms normally comprise approximately 27% of total body iron. Stored iron provides a source of iron when physiologic demand is high, such as in blood loss, pregnancy, and periods of rapid growth. Storage compounds include ferritin and hemosiderin. Ferritin is a protein-bound, water-soluble, mobilizable storage compound and is the major source of stored iron. Hemosiderin is a water-insoluble form that is less readily available for use. When the amount of total body iron is relatively low, storage iron consists predominately of ferritin. When iron stores are increased, hemosiderin predominates. Unlike ferritin, hemosiderin stains with the Prussian blue stain (Perls reaction) and may be observed in tissues.