Pathology Associates Of Lexington, P.A.

Fe test, blood

Testing for Serum Iron (& ferritin) Status

As a screening test for iron deficiency or chronic total-body iron overload (such as hemochromatosis), an overnight fasting sample is best. If checking for acute iron poisoning, a diagnostic baseline sample taken at any time prior to treatment is optimal. Screening programs to detect iron overload much more frequently identify cases of iron deficiency (low iron)...a situation which demands diagnostic work up without any undue delay (there may be a serious & correctible reason)! A screen for serum iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) gives a result that reflects the percentage iron saturation of the iron-binding sites on the transferrin protein (iron carrier protein). A percentage saturation >55% is cause to look further for iron overload. This is a much more specific screening test than serum ferritin (many other causes of elevated ferritin...liver disease, inflammation, recent multiple transfusions, and some cancers can elevate into the 1000s...than iron overload).

Causes of DECREASED [deficiency] Values/Levels

[more detail]

Insufficient iron intake
Insufficient iron absorption
Blocked iron utilization into red blood cells
Increased outgo due to either increased loss or increased usage

Causes of INCREASED [overload] Values/Levels

[more detail]

excess vitamin C intake in a chronically iron-overloaded individual (can produce a toxic...even lethal...overdose)
whole body overloaded with iron (chronic hemochromatosis; hemosiderosis; siderotic)
[is liver biopsy staging advisable?]
Normal Pregnancy (physiological increase)

Test Synonyms

Other names for this exact or approximate agent are: