Iron Studies Test

Iron studies is done:

• To detect iron deficiency anemia
• To determine the amount of iron in the blood
• To diagnose conditions such as hemochromatosis and thalassemia
• To monitor and evaluate iron levels in people taking iron supplements or undergoing iron therapy
• To assess iron overload
• To monitor iron levels after a blood transfusion
• To evaluate inflammation, liver disease or other metabolic disorders.

Measures the levels of iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation % & unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) in blood.

Iron studies requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

Abnormalities in the levels of components of Irons studies can indicate following conditions:

• Iron deficiency anaemia: Concentration of Iron and transferrin saturation is decreased, while UIBC, TIBC is increased
• Anaemia of chronic disease: Iron is decreased but transferrin saturation, UIBC, TIBC can be normal or decreased
• Iron overload: Iron & transferrin saturation are increased, while UIBC is decreased and TIBC can be increased or normal

People with the following symptoms are advised to take an iron studies:

• Dizziness
• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Muscle weakness
• Lack of energy
• Weight loss

Yes. Before taking a serum test, your doctor might advise you to fast for at least 12 hours.

High levels of iron, vitamin B-6, or vitamin B-12 can affect your serum iron level. High levels of iron may indicate hemolytic anemia, or hemolysis where your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells.

A serum iron test is a relatively safe procedure. As with any blood test, some people may experience mild discomfort or pain at the site of the blood draw.

If your serum iron test results are abnormal, you should contact your doctor right away. Your doctor may order additional tests to help determine the cause of the abnormality and will be able to provide further advice on how to manage it. Depending on the cause of the abnormality, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or medications to help regulate your iron levels.

Normal ranges for serum iron vary between individuals and depend on the sex as well. Generally, a score below 26 mcg/dL is considered outside the normal range for women, while a low score for men is anything below 76 mcg/dL. An abnormally high iron level would be above 198 mcg/dL for men and over 170 mcg/dL for women. However, the normal range may depend on the lab that you are getting tested.

• Serum Iron Test
• Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) Test
• Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) Test
• Transferrin Saturation % Test
• Transferrin saturation
• Transferrin saturation index (TSI)
• Transferrin saturation percentage (TS%)

• Serum iron tests are typically recommended for people experiencing: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or other anemic symptoms
• It is also recommended for people who have a family history of iron deficiency, who have recently had surgery, pregnant women, and those who donate blood regularly.

The Iron Studies Test is a comprehensive blood test that measures various aspects of your body's iron levels, including serum iron, ferritin, TIBC, UIBC, and transferrin saturation, to diagnose and monitor iron-related disorders.

The Iron Studies Blood Test is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring iron-related disorders, helping identify iron deficiency or overload, and monitoring treatment effectiveness to prevent and manage conditions like anemia and hemochromatosis.

The Iron Profile Test includes serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC), and transferrin saturation, providing a comprehensive assessment of the body's iron status.

The diagnostic tests for iron include serum iron test, ferritin test, TIBC test, UIBC test, and transferrin saturation test, which are often ordered together to evaluate the body's iron status comprehensively.

While there aren't many drinks naturally high in iron, some fortified beverages like certain fruit juices or energy drinks may contain added iron. However, dietary iron is primarily obtained from solid foods.

Iron Studies Tests can be performed at any age, depending on clinical necessity, and are commonly ordered for individuals of all ages who show symptoms of iron imbalance or are at risk for such conditions.

Foods highest in iron include red meat (especially organ meats like liver), fortified cereals, spinach, lentils, and certain shellfish like clams and oysters, with heme iron from animal sources being more easily absorbed than non-heme iron from plant sources.

No, hemoglobin and iron are not the same, although they are related. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells containing iron, responsible for carrying oxygen, while iron is a component of hemoglobin.

The benefits of the Iron Profile Test include accurate diagnosis of iron deficiency or overload, monitoring treatment effectiveness, early detection of conditions like anemia or hemochromatosis, comprehensive assessment of iron status, and guidance for dietary changes or supplementation needs.

Many diagnostic labs, such as Metropolis Healthcare, offer home sample collection services for Iron Test, offering greater convenience to patients. This service enables a trained phlebotomist to collect your sample right at your doorstep, saving you both time and effort.

The reports for the Iron Studies Test are usually available after 4 hours, depending on the day/time the sample was collected and processed.