HISTOPATHOLOGY SPECIAL STAIN: IRON (PERL’S STAIN)

What this test checks

A special stain that detects iron deposits in tissue — used to identify haemosiderin (stored iron) in liver, bone marrow, and other organs to diagnose iron overload conditions.

Why do people get this test?

Excess iron storage in organs (haemochromatosis, haemosiderosis) causes liver damage, heart problems, and diabetes. Perls' stain quantifies iron deposition to guide treatment (phlebotomy, chelation therapy).

When you should consider this test

• When investigating hereditary haemochromatosis (iron overload disease)
• When assessing iron deposition in liver disease
• When evaluating iron stores in bone marrow biopsies

How to prepare

No preparation needed — performed on existing tissue samples.