Anemia Blood Test | Anemia Panel Test

What

This test panel includes a Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets; an Iron, TIBC, and Ferritin Panel; Vitamin B12 and Folate tests; a BUN/Creatinine Ratio, and a Reticulocyte Count.

Who

Anyone who suspects they may have anemia or is having symptoms that could be related to anemia. Must be 18 years of age to purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

Our Anemia Test Panel includes a CBC (with differential and platelets), an Iron, TIBC, and Ferritin Panel, vitamin B12 and folate tests, a BUN/creatinine ratio, and a reticulocyte count to help detect anemia and identify the next steps.

This test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You have any symptoms of anemia (listed in the Signs & Symptoms section below)
You do not consume red meat
You suspect that you have low iron
You experience tiredness, weakness, or poor concentration
You have vitamin deficiencies and symptoms of anemia
You have a medical condition that may increase your risk of anemia
You have a family history of genetic disorders that cause anemia

Anemia symptoms can worsen over time. By getting tested, you and your doctor can understand the cause of your anemia and identify the next steps.

This test panel measures the following components to help identify anemia:

Measures various components and abnormalities of your blood, including red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width (RDW), white blood cell (WBC) count, WBC Differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils), platelet count, and mean platelet volume (MPV). This test helps identify bleeding disorders or infections and abnormal levels of specific blood components.

Iron: Measures the amount of iron in your blood. Iron is an essential mineral needed for proper growth and development in the body. Iron is needed by red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body. A low iron level can point to anemia, which may be caused by diet, injury or blood loss, pregnancy, heavy exercise, and certain conditions.
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Measures how well your blood attaches itself to iron to move it around your body.
Ferritin: Measures the amount of ferritin in the blood, a protein in the blood that contains iron and helps you understand how much iron your body is storing.

An essential vitamin needed for making red blood cells, maintaining a healthy nervous system, and creating DNA (the genetic material present in our cells).

Also known as vitamin B9, it is needed for red and white blood cell development; tissue growth; cell function; the breakdown, usage, and creation of proteins; and the production of DNA. This vitamin is essential during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects and congenital disabilities of the brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida). Folate enables the proper growth of fetal tissues and cells.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a form of nitrogen found in urea. Urea is a waste product created during protein metabolism. As proteins are broken down into amino acids, these amino acids are then broken down and converted into ammonia. The liver then converts ammonia into a less toxic substance called urea. Urea is then transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it is filtered and eliminated from the body through urine.

The liver produces creatine, which the muscles use as an energy source. During normal muscular use, some creatine will be broken down into creatinine as a waste product by the muscles. Creatinine is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it is filtered and eliminated from the body through urine. An elevated BUN/Creatinine ratio may suggest an issue with kidney function. This ratio is useful in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic renal disease and has been shown to help indicate anemia risk in individuals.

Measures reticulocytes (immature blood cells) to determine if your bone marrow is producing enough red blood cells.

Signs and symptoms of anemia can vary from mild to severe depending on the cause. Early anemia may not show any symptoms at all. Consider discussing your risk factors for anemia with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms.

Common signs and symptoms of anemia may include:

Lack of energy/fatigue
Headaches
Foggy thinking
Lightheadedness/dizziness
Decrease in/loss of appetite
Irritability
Numbness/tingling in hands/feet

Additional/advanced signs and symptoms of anemia may include:

An intense craving to chew and eat ice, eat non-food items, or both (pica)
Pounding sound in ears
Sluggishness
Apathy
Depression
Poor memory
Pale or sore tongue
Pale or yellow skin color
Hair loss
Spoon-shaped or brittle nails
Frequent infections
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Cold hands or feet
Extreme tiredness
Weakness

If you experience these more severe symptoms, SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION:

Fainting
Shortness of breath
Heart flutters
Rapid heartbeat
Chest pain

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 8-12 hours is recommended.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You will have the option to discuss your results with an independent physician. Together, you can determine the next best steps for your care.

How Does it Work?

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

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After your purchase, schedule an appointment at a nearby Quest Diagnostics location and have your specimen sample collected by a trained healthcare professional.

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Access test results from your phone as soon as they’re available, with the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your healthcare provider, family, or friends.

FAQs

What are some types of anemia?

There are several types of anemia, including:

Iron deficiency anemia – Low levels of iron are the most common cause of anemia and may be treated through diet or supplements.
Aplastic anemia – A rare condition where bone marrow no longer produces red blood cells, causing a severe shortage of healthy red blood cells.
Sickle cell anemia – Where some red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescents and can become rigid and difficult to pass, slowing down or blocking blood flow and decreasing oxygen.
Thalassemia – A genetic blood disorder where the body does not produce enough hemoglobin.
Vitamin deficiency – Vitamin B12 and folate are essential for making red blood cells and a deficiency can cause a shortage of healthy cells that carry oxygen through the body.

Is there a cure for anemia?

Anemia may be a treatable condition, especially if you are iron or vitamin deficient, which can be corrected by taking iron or vitamin supplements. For other types of anemia, medical treatment may be necessary.

Are there risk factors to be aware of?

Even if you do not have symptoms, you may consider testing if you have the following risk factors:

Family history of thalassemia
Family history of sickle cell anemia
Diet low in nutrients
History of bone marrow disease
History of an autoimmune disease
History of a chronic health condition like cancer, kidney disease, ulcerative colitis, or rheumatoid arthritis

What is included in the CBC with Differential and Platelets?

This test measures various components and abnormalities of your blood:

RBC count
The RBC count measures the number of red blood cells in a sample of blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen to body cells and tissues.
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is the primary protein found in red blood cells and is responsible for the bright red color of our blood. Hemoglobin attaches to oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules, delivering oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body, and carrying away excess carbon dioxide.
Hematocrit
Hematocrit is the portion of your total blood volume taken up by red blood cells. This is different from the red blood cell count. Hematocrit is expressed as a percentage based on the number and size of red blood cells. This value can indicate whether your blood contains an abnormally low, or high, proportion of red blood cells in relation to white blood cells and platelets.
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
The MCV is a measurement used to describe the average size of red blood cells.
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
The MCH value represents the average amount of hemoglobin contained in each red blood cell.
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
The MCHC measures the average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell relative to its size.
Red cell distribution width (RDW)
The RDW indicates the range of size variation and similarity of your red blood cells.

WBC Differential:

Measurements of white blood cells include number of cells or WBC count and measures the various kinds of white blood cells—this is what “differential” means.

WBC count
The WBC count measures the number of white blood cells in a sample of blood. White blood cells are infection-fighting cells.
Neutrophils
Neutrophils make up the largest portion of WBCs. They travel through the blood to fight and destroy viruses and bacteria.
Lymphocytes
There are 2 types of lymphocytes, B cells and T cells. B cells produce antibodies in response to bacteria, viruses, and toxins. T cells destroy the body's own cells that have been infected with viruses or have developed cancer. Both types of cells protect against future invasions of bacteria, viruses, and parasites by generating antibodies.
Monocytes
Monocytes are the largest cells in the blood. They travel through the bloodstream to tissues throughout the body, becoming either a macrophage or dendritic cell. Macrophages ingest harmful microbes, remove dead cells, and trigger an immune response. Dendritic cells are responsible for capturing, transporting, and presenting antigens derived from pathogens to immune cells that can fight them.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils, a type of granulocyte, are found in the bloodstream and the lining of various organs. These disease-fighting white blood cells contain proteins to help the body fight bacterial and parasitic infections. However, if eosinophil levels rise too high, they can contribute to allergic reactions and other inflammatory responses in the body.
Basophils
Basophils, a type of granulocyte, are present in both the blood and tissues, and like other white blood cells, they help protect the body against harmful substances. Importantly, basophils play a role in releasing antibodies that can fight bacteria and parasites like fungi, tick-borne diseases, and worms.

Platelets:

Platelet count
A platelet count measures the number of platelets per microliter in your blood sample. Platelets (thrombocytes) are small blood cells that help in stopping bleeding by swelling and clumping together to create a clot.
Mean platelet volume (MPV)
The MPV measures the average size of platelets in your blood. MPV is associated with exercise performance, but it also plays a role in blood clotting and inflammation.

Our references

Anemia. Accessed March 29, 2023
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360

The Role of Red Blood Cells in Anemia. Accessed March 29, 2023
https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia#:~:text=Anemia%20is%20the%20most%20common,more%20than%203%20million%20Americans.

What Is Anemia? Accessed March 28, 2023
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia

Anemia Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know. Accessed March 28, 2023
https://www.verywellhealth.com/facts-about-anemia-6503636

The Prevalence of Anemia and Moderate-Severe Anemia in the US Population. Accessed March 27, 2023
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5112924/

Burden of anemia and its underlying causes in 204 countries and territories. Accessed March 27, 2023
https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13045-021-01202-2

https://www.questhealth.com/product/complete-blood-count-cbc-6399M.html

https://www.questhealth.com/product/iron-tibc-ferritin-panel-5616M.html

Anemia Test Panel