Bone Marrow Iron Stain Bone Marrow Aspirate
What is this test?
Iron staining on the bone marrow aspirate smears is a part of standard order protocol for bone marrow aspirates. This test is used to evaluate the anemia, myelodysplasia (condition in which blood-forming cells in the bone marrow become abnormal), iron overload, etc. In adults, it is mostly performed on the bone marrow biopsy but sometimes can be requested on the aspirates as well. In children, this test procedure is not mostly preferred since young children rarely have stainable iron stores.
What is anemia?
Bone marrow iron stain test procedure is mainly performed in case of anemias like iron deficiency anemia, sideroblastic anemia or congenital anemia (anemia at birth), etc. Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells in your blood are decreased. The common symptoms of anemia are tiredness, loss of energy, rapid heart rate, pale skin, insomnia, dizziness, leg cramps, shortness of breath, difficulty in concentrating, headache, etc. The main causes of anemia are iron deficiency or loss of blood. Sideroblastic anemia is a type of anemia in which there is an inability to incorporate iron into hemoglobin in red blood cells is a condition seen in sideroblastic anemia. This is characterized by a buildup of iron within developing RBCs resulting in abnormal RBCs called as sideroblasts. The RBCs are not developed normally, hence this condition leads to anemia. The symptoms of sideroblastic anemia are pale skin, headaches, rapid heart rate, weakness and tiredness, chest pain, etc.
Why this test is performed?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience signs and symptoms like pale skin, tiredness, loss of energy, dizziness, shortness of breath, insomnia, leg cramps, difficulty in concentrating, headache, rapid heart rate, etc. This test is recommended if you have a family history of anemias or has a past medical history of anemias. This test is also recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Bone Marrow Iron Stain Bone Marrow Aspirate. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Bone Marrow Iron Stain Bone Marrow Aspirate.
No specific preparation is required for this test.
Understanding your test results
The normal test results may vary depending on age, health history, medical condition, etc. The results of bone marrow iron staining can be interpreted by your doctor based on the number of cells that are stained. Hence consult your doctor with your test reports for accurate diagnosis and medical intervention.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | The level of Iron in Bone marrow is reported |