Name: Iron, TIBC & Ferritin Panel
Brand: Quest
SKU: 5616M
Price: 59 USD
Availability: InStock

Iron, TIBC & Ferritin Panel

The iron, TIBC, and ferritin panel test helps assess different aspects of iron metabolism in your body. It measures your blood’s overall iron levels, capacity to transport iron, and ability to store iron reserves. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 8-12 hours, while not required, is recommended for optimal results. Samples should be taken in the morning from patients in a fasting state, since iron values decrease by 30% during the course of the day and there can be significant interference from lipemia.

Test type: In Person

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$59.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

What

Measures iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin levels in your blood.

Who

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

This iron test panel measures your iron levels, 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. Left unchecked, abnormal iron levels may lead to certain health issues (eg, anemia, hemochromatosis). If your iron results are higher or lower than normal, you and your healthcare provider can work together to determine the next steps.

Buy your own iron test panel online with Quest®. No doctor’s visit is required – simply purchase iron testing, visit a nearby Quest® location for sample collection, and get fast results.

Measure 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.

This test is 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 of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. This test requires specimen collection at a Quest Diagnostics location or through Quest Mobile™, a convenient option for in-home sample collection*. Collection not available in AK, AZ, or HI.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, not available in all locations.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

In-person
In-home sample collection

Buy a lab test

No doctor visit is required for purchase.

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Register your test
& schedule an appointment

Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

Trace minerals are nutrients that are used and stored by the body in smaller (trace) amounts. Trace minerals include iron, manganese, zinc, and more. Learn more about critical vitamins and minerals in the article here.

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.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Iron, TIBC & Ferritin Panel