Toronto, Ontario, September 9, 2024—Effective September 9, 2024, LifeLabs will follow new clinical decision limits for ferritin when testing for iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency. It is the number one cause of anemia worldwide, but it is correctable and can be managed well with early intervention from testing and treatment. Ferritin is the blood marker for iron deficiency, and it’s used in iron deficiency screening of at-risk populations, along with CBC and reticulocyte count.
This change aligns with the recent update the Ontario Association of Medical Laboratories (OAML) made to the ‘Guidelines for the Use of Laboratory Tests for Iron Deficiency.’ The change will move ferritin testing from reference intervals to a lower limit of ferritin of under 30 µg/L for adult patients and under 20 µg/L for pediatric patients at all major community laboratories in Ontario.
“We are quite excited about this change for ferritin testing as it provides a window into the world of research that is focusing on equitable care in many functions of healthcare,” said Dr. Catherine Ross, Vice President of Medical and Quality Affairs at LifeLabs. The higher cut-off will offer greater support to healthcare providers in bringing care to patients who may have been experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency but were not initially showing deficient markers. This will be especially beneficial for women and children with iron deficiency.”
Furthermore, the OAML guideline was also updated to align with the Raise the Bar campaign, an initiative developed to increase awareness of the high prevalence of iron deficiency, particularly in women, and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this correctable disorder.
Learn more about the updated guideline here or visit lifelabs.com.