Summary
Assessing your iron status
This test measures the amount of iron in serum, the liquid portion of your blood. Testing iron alone is not useful in assessing how much iron is in your blood or being stored in your body. This is because the amount of iron in your blood varies throughout the day.
For this reason, a group of tests is performed called Iron Studies. Usually, this includes:
Each test measures a different aspect of the storage and transportation of iron in the blood. By assessing each result, your doctor can build up a picture of your overall iron status.
For a full account of how your iron levels will be tested go to Iron Studies.
What is iron and why do we need it?
Your body needs iron for daily activities, growth and development. It uses iron to make haemoglobin in red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen through the bloodstream from the lungs and release it to where it is needed in the body.
Our bodies cannot make iron. It must be absorbed from our diet or from supplements. The amount of iron we absorb is decided by our body's needs. We normally use just a little bit of iron each day and we don’t have a way of getting rid of excess iron. Instead, the body closely controls iron levels by regulating how much iron is absorbed from our food.
If your iron levels are too low, your body will not be able to make enough haemoglobin to function properly. This condition is known as iron-deficiency anaemia. It is also possible to have too much iron, which is known as iron overload, and it may be caused by several conditions including an inherited condition called haemochromatosis and chronic liver disease, as well as regular blood transfusions.
How iron is taken up and used
Since red blood cells live for an average of about 120 days, the body needs a constant supply of iron to maintain haemoglobin levels. Dying red blood cells are recycled and old haemoglobin is broken down and iron is re-used.
Why get tested?
If it is suspected that you have too little or too much iron in your blood and body, your medical team may first request a full blood count (FBC), which gives information on the number, size and shape of your red blood cells and how much haemoglobin is in the blood. If the FBC suggests iron deficiency, iron studies will be requested as the next investigation.
Having the test
Sample
Serum iron is measured on a blood sample, usually taken from a vein in the arm.
Any preparation?
None.
Your results
What your iron studies results may show. Condition Ferritin Iron TIBC or Transferrin Percentage of transferrin saturationIron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia. Low Low High Low Haemochromatosis. High High Low High Chronic illness. Normal or high Low Low Low Haemolytic anaemia. High High Normal or Low High Sideroblastic anaemia (a rare blood disorder that affects how your body produces red blood cells). High Normal or High Normal or Low High Iron poisoning (usually only seen in young children who swallow iron tablets because they look like lollies). Normal High Normal High
Reading your test report
Your results will be presented along with those of your other tests on the same form. You will see separate columns or lines for each of the tests that make up the iron studies panel.
Testing your iron alone is not a good measure of how much iron is in your blood or being stored in your body. For this reason, a group of tests called Iron Studies will usually be done to assess your iron status.
Reference intervals
Your results will be compared to reference intervals (sometimes called a normal range).
If your results are flagged as high or low this does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong. Blood test results must be interpreted with an understanding of your own particular symptoms and clinical situation. For this reason, your results are best interpreted by your own doctor.
Questions to ask your doctor
The choice of tests your doctor makes will be based on your medical history and symptoms. It is important that you tell them everything you think might help.
You play a central role in making sure your test results are accurate. Do everything you can to make sure the information you provide is correct and follow instructions closely.
Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking. Find out if you need to fast or stop any particular foods or supplements. These may affect your results. Ask:
More information
Pathology and diagnostic imaging reports can be added to your My Health Record. You and your healthcare provider can now access your results whenever and wherever needed.
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