Red cell Protoporphyrin levels more than 100 microgram/ dL is suggestive of which of the following?

Ans. a (Iron deficiency anemia) (Ref. Harrison 18th/ ch. 103)RED CELL PROTOPORPHYRIN LEVELS# Protoporphyrin is an intermediate in the pathway to heme synthesis.# Under conditions in which heme synthesis is impaired, protoporphyrin accumulates within the red cell.# This can reflect an inadequate iron supply to erythroid precursors to support hemoglobin synthesis.# Normal values are less than 30 microg/dL of red cells.# In iron deficiency, values in excess of 100 microg/dL are seen.# The most common causes of increased red cell protoporphyrin levels are absolute or relative iron deficiency and lead poisoning.