Iron, TIBC & Ferritin Panel
Iron, TIBC & Ferritin Panel
Measure the amount of iron in your blood, how well your blood transports iron, and the amount of iron you have stored. Read moreTest 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.
$59.00
+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee
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
Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.
About the Test
Check 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.
How it works
FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.