Objective: This study aimed to determine the plasma concentrations of iron, ferritin, and transferrin, their correlation with the degree of anemia, and their correlation with several laboratory test results in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis at Huu Nghi Viet Tiep Hospital.
Research Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 103 chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis at Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital in 2023.
Results: The mean serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, and transferrin saturation levels were 10.2 ± 5.4 µmol/L, 650.0 ± 553.8 ng/mL, 1.62 ± 0.34 g/L, and 25.9 ± 15.7%, respectively. There were 26.2% of patients with low serum iron, 25.2% with low iron stores, 47.6% with high iron stores, and 41.7% with decreased transferrin saturation. Functional iron deficiency was present in 29.1% of patients, absolute iron deficiency in 17.5%, and iron overload in 7.8%. Serum ferritin levels differed significantly among the degrees of anemia (p = 0.044). Serum iron showed positive correlations with MCV (r = 0.197; p = 0.046), MCH (r = 0.234; p = 0.017), total protein (r = 0.322; p = 0.001), serum albumin (r = 0.381; p < 0.001), and serum calcium (r = 0.283; p = 0.004). Serum ferritin levels were negatively correlated with red blood cell (r = −0.331; p < 0.001) and hemoglobin concentration (r = −0.226; p = 0.022), and positively correlated with MCV (r = 0.282; p = 0.004) and MCH (r = 0.357; p < 0.001). Combining iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation test results is necessary for a more accurate assessment of iron status.
Conclusion: In plasma, iron concentration was 10.2 ± 5.4 µmol/L, ferritin 650.0 ± 553.8 ng/mL, transferrin 1.62 ± 0.34 g/L, and transferrin saturation 25.9 ± 15.7%. Ferritin levels were associated with the severity of anemia and correlated with red blood cell count, hemoglobin, MCV, and MCH. Iron levels correlated with MCV, MCH, protein, albumin, and plasma calcium.