IRON PROFILE

Common Types of Iron Tests:

1. Serum Iron: Measures the amount of iron in the liquid part of the blood. However, this test alone doesn’t give a full picture of iron status because the body’s iron is mostly bound to proteins.
2. Ferritin: This test measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in your body. Low ferritin levels can indicate iron deficiency, even if serum iron levels appear normal.
3. Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC): This test measures the blood’s ability to bind iron with proteins. High TIBC can suggest iron deficiency, while low TIBC can be a sign of iron overload or other conditions.
4. Transferrin Saturation: This test calculates the percentage of transferrin (an iron-binding protein) that is saturated with iron. It helps assess iron status in conjunction with serum iron and TIBC.
5. Complete Blood Count (CBC): While not specifically an iron test, a CBC can help identify anemia (a common result of iron deficiency) by measuring red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels.