Iron helps carry oxygen; this test checks the amount of circulating iron in your blood.
Iron is a mineral your body uses to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The serum iron test measures the amount of iron circulating in your blood, most of it bound to the transport protein transferrin.
This is a single snapshot that changes through the day and with recent meals, so it is read together with other iron markers rather than on its own.
A serum iron test is part of assessing iron status. Low serum iron can point to iron deficiency, blood loss, or chronic illness and may contribute to anaemia and fatigue.
High serum iron can occur with iron overload, too many supplements, or some liver and blood conditions. Because a single iron value swings widely, it is most useful read with transferrin, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and ferritin.
Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.
Ranges are guidance, vary by laboratory, and shift through the day.
| Group | Reference range (SI) |
|---|---|
| Women | 6.6 to 26 micromol/L |
| Men | 11 to 28 micromol/L |
Aligned to German laboratory practice (DGKL). Always interpret against your own lab's range.
Serum iron is highest in the morning and falls later in the day. Recent iron supplements or an iron-rich meal raise it. Infection and inflammation lower it. Haemolysis of the sample can falsely raise the reading.
Best read with transferrin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, and ferritin.
What does my iron result mean? High means more iron circulating; low means less available. Results need context with ferritin, transferrin, and CBC.
Do I need to fast? No. A morning sample is preferred, and avoiding iron pills for 24 hours helps.
What can affect results? Recent iron or vitamin C, time of day, illness, pregnancy, dehydration, and some medicines can shift levels.
How often should I test? If treating anemia or monitoring risk, your clinician may recheck in 1 to 3 months. Follow their advice.
How long do results take? Results are usually ready in about 7 days.
What should I discuss with my clinician? Your diet, supplements, bleeding history, and whether to add ferritin, TIBC, or genetic tests.
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