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Decoding Your Iron Status: Essential Blood Tests Explained
Published: Dec 23, 2023
Understanding your iron status involves more than just checking hemoglobin levels. Several key blood tests can provide a comprehensive picture of your body's iron balance.
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.
Newer Iron Tests
Emerging tests like soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and hepcidin levels can provide additional insights. sTfR increases in iron deficiency and can help distinguish between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease. Hepcidin, the main regulator of iron balance, may become a valuable diagnostic tool in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your risk factors; consult your doctor.
Yes, hemoglobin is often the last to change in iron deficiency.
It's usually recommended to fast for 12 hours before the test.
Yes, inflammation can increase ferritin levels.
They can be useful but are not as accurate as lab tests.
The Full Picture
A combination of these tests provides the most accurate assessment of your iron status, guiding appropriate treatment if needed.
References
- Camaschella C. Iron-deficiency anemia. N Engl J Med 2015; 372:1832.
- Wish JB. Assessing iron status: beyond serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2006; 1 Suppl 1:S4.
- Girelli D, Nemeth E, Swinkels DW. Hepcidin in the diagnosis of iron disorders. Blood 2016; 127:2809.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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