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Iron studies blood test
7-minute read
Key facts
- Iron studies are blood tests that measure different substances in the blood to check how much iron is in your body.
- Iron is essential for cells, especially red blood cells, as it helps haemoglobin carry oxygen throughout the body.
- Having too little or too much iron can cause serious health problems.
- Your doctor may request an iron studies test if you have anaemia (low red blood cell count), have problems consuming enough dietary iron or have a condition that means you need more iron.
- Interpreting iron studies results can be complicated — your doctor will explain your test results.
What is an iron studies blood test?
Iron is an important nutrient that plays an essential role in many cells in your body, including your blood cells. Iron is a vital part of haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen around your body.
Your body cannot make iron, so it needs to take it in from your diet or iron supplements.
If you don't have enough iron in your body, you may have difficulty making new blood cells. New blood cells are needed to replace blood that you lose from:
- heavy periods
- blood donation
- bleeding from other causes, such as gastrointestinal bleeding
Low iron levels can lead to a condition called anaemia. Anaemia can be detected with a full blood count.
Having too much iron in your body can cause damage to your:
What tests are included in an iron studies blood test?
There are a few different blood tests that look at the amount of iron in your body.
- A ferritin test — measures the amount of stored iron in your body.
- A serum iron test — measures the iron circulating in your blood.
- A transferrin test or a total iron-binding capacity test (TIBC) — measures how well your body transports iron in your blood.
- Transferrin saturation — is a calculation to find the percentage of your transferrin that contains iron.
Your doctor might ask for all these tests, or for just 1 or 2 of them. Sometimes using the results from multiple tests can help your doctor find the cause of an abnormal result.
When is an iron studies test used?
Your doctor may refer you for iron studies if you have had a full blood count and it shows that you have anaemia or another problem with your red blood cells.
Your doctor may also check your iron levels if they think you have too much iron in your body. The most common cause of too much iron is haemochromatosis, which is an inherited condition.
Your doctor might refer you for an iron studies test to check your levels if you:
- eat a vegan or vegetarian diet or they are concerned you may not consume enough iron
- are pregnant
- have a condition that makes it hard to absorb iron from your diet (such as inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease or other gastrointestinal problems)
- have internal bleeding
Where can I get an iron studies test?
You usually need to go to a pathology collection centre with a referral from your doctor to get an iron studies blood test. Your doctor will recommend one near you.
Sometimes, your doctor will collect blood for testing in their clinic. Blood tests are also routinely done in hospitals.
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How do I prepare for an iron studies test?
How you prepare will depend on which type of blood test you're having.
For some iron studies tests, you will need to fast for 12 hours. This is because other foods and drinks can affect your results. In this case, you can only drink water.
Most people have the test in the morning, so it doesn't interfere with their meals. If you take iron supplements, do not take them before the test.
If you are having other blood tests done at the same time, there may be special instructions you need to follow. It's best to check with your doctor or the pathology collection centre. Ask them if there is anything you need to do before having your blood test.
What happens during an iron studies test?
A health professional will take a sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm. The blood will then be sent to a laboratory for testing.
What do my iron studies results mean?
The results of iron studies can be hard to understand. Your doctor will look at your results in the context of your general health.
Some results are compared to reference intervals or ranges. These are a range of values that are considered generally normal for the population, but not necessarily for everyone.
If your results are higher or lower than what is considered normal for the general population, it doesn't always mean there is a problem. Your doctor will explain what they mean for you and if more tests are needed.
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Resources and support
You can read healthdirect's Guide to blood testing to learn more about blood tests in general with information on:
- what to consider before having the test
- what happens during a blood test
- the accuracy of your results
- the costs of your blood tests
Visit the Pathology Tests Explained website to find out more about iron studies.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.'
Other languages
You can find more information on iron and iron deficiency in other languages on the Health Translations website.