Which laboratory test is commonly used to evaluate iron status in patients?

Serum ferritin is a widely used laboratory test for assessing iron status in patients. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and its serum levels reflect the amount of stored iron. When determining iron deficiency or iron overload, serum ferritin levels provide critical insights. Low levels of ferritin indicate depleted iron stores, suggesting iron deficiency anemia, while elevated levels can suggest conditions such as hemochromatosis or inflammatory responses.

In contrast, a complete blood count provides information about various blood components, such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell indices, but it does not specifically assess iron status. Prothrombin time measures the time it takes for blood to clot and is primarily used to evaluate coagulation factors rather than iron levels. The blood glucose test measures blood sugar levels and is not related to iron evaluation. Therefore, serum ferritin is specifically designed to assess iron levels in the body, making it the optimal choice for evaluating iron status in patients.