Iron Test
Also known as: Fe; serum iron
The Test
How is it used?
The iron test is used to measure the amount of iron that is carried by transferrin, a protein that transports iron from the intestine to cells that use iron. In people with anaemia, the iron test can help to tell whether it is due to iron deficiency. It can also help to identify when anaemia is due to a long-term (chronic) illness.
The iron test can also be used with the transferrin saturation test to help diagnose hereditary haemochromatosis, a condition where too much iron builds up in the body.
The iron test can also be used with the transferrin saturation test to help diagnose hereditary haemochromatosis, a condition where too much iron builds up in the body.
When is it requested?
Iron tests are not requested routinely. If haemoglobin and haematocrit are abnormal, however, iron tests can be useful to help understand the cause of anaemia. Iron tests can also be used when iron deficiency is being treated to tell if the iron is being absorbed properly and to detect when enough iron has been taken. The test also may be requested when your doctor suspects you may have too much iron. If you have symptoms that could be due to haemochromatosis, iron tests represent the best way to determine whether this could be the diagnosis. In a child who has taken iron tablets, iron levels are the only way to measure the severity of poisoning.
What does the test result mean?
A low iron is usually due to iron deficiency, especially if transferrin or TIBC is high. With chronic (long-term) diseases, low iron occurs with low transferrin or TIBC.
High levels of serum iron can occur as the result of many blood transfusions, iron injections into muscle, lead poisoning, liver disease, or kidney disease. Haemochromatosis is the most common cause of high iron.
High levels of serum iron can occur as the result of many blood transfusions, iron injections into muscle, lead poisoning, liver disease, or kidney disease. Haemochromatosis is the most common cause of high iron.
Is there anything else I should know?
Samples for iron should be taken in the morning, before you have had any food to eat. You should not take any iron pills or tablets for 24 hours before the test. Iron is absorbed rapidly from food or pills, and can make your blood iron levels falsely high.
Substances that can cause high iron levels include the pill, oestrogen pills and preparations, iron supplements, heavy intake of alcoholic drinks, methyldopa, and chloramphenicol.
Substances that can cause your iron level to be decreased include ACTH (a hormone), the drugs colchicine, desferrioxamine, methicillin, and testosterone.
Substances that can cause high iron levels include the pill, oestrogen pills and preparations, iron supplements, heavy intake of alcoholic drinks, methyldopa, and chloramphenicol.
Substances that can cause your iron level to be decreased include ACTH (a hormone), the drugs colchicine, desferrioxamine, methicillin, and testosterone.
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