Biological Variation of Iron, Transferrin, Ferritin, Folate, Vitamin B12 and 25-Oh Vitamin D in Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Background: We aimed to evaluate the use of population-based-reference-intervals by calculating the individuality index and reference change value of iron, transferrin, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and 25-OH vitamin D parameters. Methods: A total of 5 venous blood samples were taken from 11 female and 10 male individuals on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. All tests were performed on an autoanalyzer and CVI, CVG, II, and RCV values were calculated for both genders and the whole groups. Results: CVA (%)/CVI (%)/CVG (%) for iron, 0.67/27.3/32.3 transferrin, 0.62/3.60/10.27 ferritin, 2.27/6.21/105.6 folate 4.71/10.3/28.56 vitamin B12, 6.1/5.77/34.6, 25-OH Vitamin D 3.4/8.2/54.9 respectively. RCV calculated as a 2-tailed value at level of probability of significant change set at 0.95 - 0.99; 74.9/98.7 - 10.1/13.3 - 18.3/24.1 31.4/41.3 - 23.4/30.8 - 24.7/32.5 and II were 0.8-0.4-0.-0.4-0.17-0.1 respectively. Conclusions: CVI and CVG values for iron, transferrin, folate, vitamin B12, and 25-OH vitamin D are in accordance with the literature. Ferritin was calculated differently from the values in the database. This difference might be due to the characteristics of selected individuals for study. Evaluating the suitability and utility of the use of RR with values found for II. For iron, the use of RR was considered appropriate when taken as II < 0.6 and II > 1.4. However, the use of RCV is more appropriate for Transferrin, Folate, Vitamin B12, and 25-OH Vitamin D. (Clin. Lab. 2021;67:2048-2054. DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2021.210102)