Measurement of serum transferrin receptors also becomes a promising new test for the evaluation of iron status particularly in epidemiological assessment of anemia. Performed in conjunction with serum ferritin measurements, the serum transferrin receptor serves to distinguish true iron deficiency from the anemia from the anemia of chronic diseases or inflammatory diseases and, therefore, offers a major advantage in establishing the true prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in population studies. The combination of low hemoglobin, a low serum ferritin, and an elevated serum transferrin receptor are diagnostic of iron deficiency anemia. The diagnosis of iron deficiency will be made when the following criteria are met: transferrin receptor > 8.3 mg/l, serum ferritin concentration <12ng/ml, and hemoglobin concentration(<11 gm/dl).