Type
Blood Testing
Biomarkers
8
Duration
10 min
Results
3 days
A comprehensive iron assessment measuring serum iron, ferritin (iron stores), transferrin (iron transport protein), and TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) — the four markers needed to distinguish between true iron deficiency, iron overload, and inflammation-driven changes in iron levels. Iron deficiency affects up to 1 in 5 Australian women and is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, yet ferritin alone does not tell the full story.
Iron is essential for oxygen transport via haemoglobin, energy production in mitochondria, immune function, and cognitive performance. Iron Studies go beyond a simple ferritin test to provide the complete picture of iron metabolism. Ferritin reflects iron stores — low ferritin confirms depletion, but ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant that rises with inflammation, meaning a 'normal' ferritin can mask true deficiency in someone with concurrent infection or autoimmune disease. Serum iron measures the iron currently circulating in your blood. Transferrin is the protein that transports iron, and its level rises when stores are low (the body makes more transport protein to scavenge available iron). TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) and transferrin saturation complete the picture. This combination distinguishes iron deficiency anaemia (low ferritin, low serum iron, high transferrin) from anaemia of chronic disease (normal/high ferritin, low serum iron, low transferrin) and hereditary haemochromatosis (high ferritin, high serum iron, high saturation) — three conditions requiring very different management. Particularly important for women of reproductive age, vegetarians, endurance athletes, regular blood donors, and anyone with unexplained fatigue.
Key Details
- Markers
- 5 iron-specific
- Distinguishes
- Deficiency vs overload vs inflammation
- Collection fee
- +A$20
Who Is This For?
Fatigue investigation, women's health, vegetarians, athletes, unexplained hair loss, heavy periods
What's Included
Preparation Required
No fasting strictly required, but morning collection before iron-containing meals or supplements provides the most consistent results.
Panel Categories
Biomarkers Tested
8The primary iron storage protein. Ferritin reflects total body iron stores and is the first marker to drop in iron deficiency. However, ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection, and liver disease, which can mask true iron deficiency.
A mineral essential for oxygen transport (in hemoglobin), energy production, and immune function. Serum iron measures the amount circulating in blood, but ferritin and TIBC provide a more complete picture of iron status.
Transferrin is a protein that binds and transports iron in the blood. Abnormal levels can indicate iron metabolism disorders.
The percentage of transferrin (iron-transporting protein) that is carrying iron. Calculated from serum iron and TIBC. Low saturation indicates iron deficiency; high saturation may indicate hemochromatosis (iron overload).
If too much urate is produced or not enough is excreted, it can accumulate and lead to gout – an inflammation that occurs in joints.
- Category
- Diagnostic
- Sample Type
- Blood (venous draw)
- Duration
- 10 min
- Results
- 3 days