Episode 56: The Iron-Clad Chronicles | Iron Studies

In episode 56 of This Medical Life, Dr Travis Brown and Steve Davis delve into the critical topic of iron studies, with a special focus on iron deficiency, under the expert guidance of returning guest, Professor Ken Sikaris. Iron deficiency’s prevalence is influenced by factors such as age, sex, and ethnicity, noting that women, especially those of childbearing age and pregnant women, are at higher risk. Prof Sikaris addresses the challenges and misconceptions surrounding iron studies, particularly the reliability of various tests like serum iron, transferrin saturation, and ferritin. While ferritin is the most reliable marker for total body iron stores, it can be influenced by factors like inflammation. Through this episode, we provide This Medical Life provides a comprehensive exploration of iron deficiency, combining historical context, clinical insights, and practical advice, all aimed at improving understanding and management of this prevalent health issue. Our special guest: Professor Ken Sikaris is a chemical pathologists and Director of Chemical Pathology at Melbourne Pathology. Professor Sikaris is a NATA-accredited laboratory assessor, Founding Fellow of the RCPA Faculty of Science and a principle examiner in Pathology Informatics. He is a Fellow of the Department of Pathology at the University of Melbourne. This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and SpotifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.