Iron Panel

The 6 tests in this panel

What each one measures and the range labs usually print for adults. Ranges differ a little between labs, so the range on your own report is the one your result is judged against.

• Iron, Serum

  The amount of iron travelling in your blood at the moment of the draw. It swings with meals, supplements and the time of day.

  Men, 18+

  38–169 µg/dL

  Women, 18–59

  27–159 µg/dL

  Women, 60+

  27–139 µg/dL

• Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)

  How much iron your blood's carrier protein, transferrin, could hold in total. It usually rises when iron stores are low.

  18+

  250–450 µg/dL

• Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity (UIBC)

  How much of your blood's iron-carrying capacity is still empty. Added to serum iron, it gives total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).

  Men, 18–60

  111–343 µg/dL

  Women, 18–60

  131–425 µg/dL

• Transferrin Saturation

  The percentage of your blood's iron-carrying protein that is loaded with iron right now, worked out from serum iron and TIBC.

  Adults

  15–55 %

• Transferrin

  A protein that carries iron through your blood. It tends to rise when iron stores are low and fall with inflammation, liver problems or low protein.

  Men, 18–80

  177–329 mg/dL

  Women, 18–80

  192–364 mg/dL

  81+

  149–313 mg/dL

• Ferritin

  A protein that stores iron in your cells. The small amount in your blood reflects how much iron your body has in reserve.

  Men, 20–59

  30–400 ng/mL

  Men, 60+

  31–409 ng/mL

  Women, 20–59

  15–150 ng/mL

  Women, 60+

  11–328 ng/mL