Table 2 Classification of iron status using the intensive grading method
Iron detected in:Iron status category
Fragment*Macrophage†Erythroblast‡
PresentPresentPresentNormal
Present–Present
PresentPresent–Functional iron deficiency
Present––
–PresentPresentIron stores deficiency
––Present
–Present–Functional and iron stores deficiency
–––

  • *Positive fragment iron: fragment grade ⩾2.

  • †Positive macrophage iron: iron present in reticular cell.

  • ‡Positive erythroblast iron: iron present in >30% of erythroblasts.