Iron tests are used to assess the amount of iron circulating in the blood, the total capacity of the blood to transport iron, and the amount of iron stored in the body.
Iron is a mineral in your body that comes from foods. You need iron to make red blood cells. Iron is also an important part of hemoglobin, a protein in your blood that helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
Lack of iron is classified as anemia. Anemia is a condition in which the individual lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues. Having anemia, also referred to as low hemoglobin, can make you feel tired and weak.
An iron deficiency can be caused by inadequate iron intake, pregnancy or blood loss due to menstruation, internal blooding, inability to absorb iron and more.
Signs of an iron problem include symptoms such as:
- Inflammation
- Soreness of the tongue
- Brittle nails
- Unusual cravings
- Poor appetite
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Pale skin
High blood iron is usually the result of hemochromatosis, a disease in which the body absorbs too much iron from the diet.
Symptoms of high iron include:
- Joint pain
- Tiredness
- Weakness or lack of energy
- Stomach pain
Types of Iron Blood Tests
- Serum iron. This test measures the amount of iron in your blood.
- Serum ferritin. This test measures how much iron is stored in your body. When your iron level is low, your body will pull iron out of “storage” to use.
- Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). This test tells how much transferrin (a protein) is free to carry iron through your blood. If your TIBC level is high, it means more transferrin is free because you have low iron.
- Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC). This test measures how much transferrin isn’t attached to iron.
- Transferrin saturation. This test measures the percentage of transferrin that is attached to iron.
How To Get Tested For Iron
We offer a wide range of iron blood tests here at CT Clinics. Simply book online or call us to arrange your clinic based or home visit.
