Iron, TIBC & Ferritin Panel

What

The Iron Test measures iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin levels in your blood.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase

Orders not permitted in: AK, HI, AZ

How

Type of sample to be collected:
Blood (venipuncture - a needle is used to draw blood from a vein)

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of our Patient Service Centers.

About the Test

The Iron Test checks your iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin, which help support a number of vital functions in your body. Iron is an important nutrient needed to form hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs throughout your body for energy. TIBC is a measurement of how well your blood attaches itself to iron to move it around your body. Ferritin is a protein in the blood that contains iron and helps you understand how much iron your body is storing. If your iron results are higher or lower than normal, you and your healthcare provider can work together to determine the next steps.

The Iron Test measures the amount of iron in your blood, how well your blood transports iron, and the amount of iron you have stored. Iron is an essential mineral needed for proper growth and development in the body. You must absorb iron through food or supplements because your body does not produce iron on its own.

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. Too much iron in the blood can point to underlying medical conditions and cause problems with the liver, heart, kidneys, joints, or other organs. If abnormal iron levels are left untreated, they may lead to serious blood disorders or other health conditions.

The Iron Test may be right for you if you're experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms:

Iron deficiency (low levels of iron):

Pounding sound in ears
Pale or yellow skin color
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
An intense craving to chew and eat ice, eat non-food items, or both (pica)
Pale or sore tongue
Depression
Frequent infections
Apathy
Sluggishness
Hair loss
Spoon-shaped or brittle nails
Extreme fatigue
Weakness
Lack of energy
Headaches
Foggy thinking
Poor memory
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Heart flutters
Shortness of breath
Cold hands or feet
Chest pain
Rapid heartbeat

Iron overload (high levels of iron):

Joint pain
Abdominal pain
High blood sugar levels or diabetes
Darkening of the skin
Weakness
Loss of sex drive
Impotence
Heart failure
Depression
Extreme fatigue
Pain in the knuckles of your pointer and middle finger (“iron fist”)
Chronic fatigue
Memory fog
Heart flutters
Irregular heartbeat
Elevated liver enzymes

In many cases, the earliest signs or symptoms of abnormal iron levels may go unnoticed or be dismissed as tiredness, weakness, and poor concentration. Without treatment, symptoms of an iron imbalance may worsen as the condition progresses, potentially affecting your overall quality of life.

You must be 18 years old or older to purchase.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report.

You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results.

If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.

How Does it Work?

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

Over 2000+ locations focus on your safety, confidentiality and convenience.

Schedule your appointment after purchasing a test to minimize wait time.

Browse tests

Enter your zip code to find a Quest Diagnostics location closest to you.

Find a location

We will email you when your confidential results are available.

View results

Take control of your health

Conveniently shop and pay online for lab tests without a doctor's visit. An independent physician will review your request and if appropriate, confirm your order and offer oversight.

Schedule and manage your appointments

Conveniently schedule your appointment online at one of our Quest Diagnostics locations. Certain tests may also offer self-testing home delivery.

Get your results online

View your results through your secure account online. And it's easy to share the result with your doctor.

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 doctor, family, or friends.

FAQs

Are iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia the same?

No, there is a difference between the terms, though they are sometimes used interchangeably. Anemia is caused by low levels of hemoglobin, whereas a lack of iron causes iron deficiency. It's possible to have an iron deficiency while maintaining a normal hemoglobin level. However, a person with iron deficiency anemia lacks sufficient levels of both iron and hemoglobin. Anemia can also be caused by issues other than iron imbalance, such as blood loss, inflammation, and certain health conditions.

What can cause a high ferritin level?

Ferritin isn't solely a metric for the body's iron reserves. It's also a marker for inflammation. If your ferritin levels are higher than normal, you may have an underlying condition that causes your body to store too much iron. It could also indicate liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory diseases, for example.

What causes problems with iron absorption?

You must absorb iron through food or supplements because your body does not produce iron on its own. Additionally, if you are taking medication to reduce stomach acid, this medication can interfere with the proper absorption of iron.

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