Iron
Iron in your blood, how much you have stored, and the proteins that move it around.
6 tests explained
Most common tests
- FerritinA protein that stores iron in your cells. The small amount in your blood reflects how much iron your body has in reserve.
- Iron, SerumThe amount of iron travelling in your blood at the moment of the draw. It swings with meals, supplements and the time of day.
- 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.
- Transferrin SaturationThe percentage of your blood's iron-carrying protein that is loaded with iron right now, worked out from serum iron and TIBC.
Common follow-up tests
- TransferrinA 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.
- 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).