Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin CDC guidelines for prevention, detection and treatment of iron deficiency
Infection, inflammation, and lead poisoning as well as iron deficiency can elevate erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration
the day-to-day variation within persons for erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration is less than that for serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation
A high erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration is an earlier indicator of irondeficient erythropoiesis than is anemia, but it is not as early an indicator of low iron stores as is low serum ferritin concentration