Understanding a Hemoccult Test (Fecal Occult Blood Test)
A Hemoccult test checks stool for hidden (occult) blood. Sometimes the test is positive even when there is no serious problem. This is called a false positive. Many Hemoccult tests—including those processed using **Beckman Coulter systems—are very sensitive, which means they can react to things other than true bleeding. Common Reasons for a False-Positive Result […]
Iron Avidity
Iron avidity is a state where the body is desperately trying to capture and use iron, but circulating iron is unavailable, even though iron may be present somewhere in the system or has recently been given. It’s best thought of as functional iron starvation. Clinically, it means: The bone marrow wants iron Transferrin is “hungry” […]
Dysmetabolic Iron Overload Syndrome (DIOS)
Dysmetabolic Iron Overload Syndrome (DIOS) is treated very differently from genetic hemochromatosis. The goal is fix the metabolic problem, not aggressively “bleed out” iron. Here’s the evidence-based, clinically practical approach. What DIOS actually is DIOS is characterized by: Mild–moderate iron overload (↑ ferritin, often normal or mildly ↑ TSAT) Normal or low transferrin saturation (often […]