Decoding Your Iron Status: Essential Blood Tests Explained

Serum Ferritin: Your Iron Storage Indicator

Serum ferritin is often considered the gold standard for assessing iron stores. It reflects the amount of iron stored in your body. Low levels indicate iron deficiency, while high levels can suggest iron overload or inflammation. Normal ranges vary by age and sex, but generally, levels below 30 ng/mL indicate iron deficiency in adults.

Transferrin Saturation: Iron Transport Capacity

Transferrin saturation measures how much iron is bound to transferrin, the protein that transports iron in your blood. It's calculated by dividing serum iron by total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Normal saturation is typically between 20-50%. Lower values suggest iron deficiency, while higher values can indicate iron overload.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A CBC provides information about your red blood cells, including hemoglobin levels and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Low hemoglobin can indicate anemia, while a low MCV suggests iron deficiency anemia specifically. However, these changes often occur late in iron deficiency, so they're not ideal for early detection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

A combination of these tests provides the most accurate assessment of your iron status, guiding appropriate treatment if needed.

Related Articles

• Iron Overload: When Your Body Hoards Too Much Iron
• Feeling Tired All the Time? It Could Be Iron Deficiency
• Hepcidin: The Master Regulator of Iron Balance
• Balancing Act: Guidelines for Healthy Iron Levels

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