Test Code 1040
Test Details
Iron
Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to transport it throughout your body. Hemoglobin represents about two-thirds of the body's iron. If you don't have enough iron you can't make hemoglobin.
Methodology
Colorimetric
Patient Preparation
None
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL serum (0.5 mL minimum) collected in serum separator tube (SST / Tiger Top)
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)
Stability
Refrigerated: 21 days
Lab Values
Iron
Female
- Low: <37 µg/dL
- Normal: 37-145 µg/dL
- High: >145 µg/dL
Male
- Low: <59 µg/dL
- Normal: 59-158 µg/dL
- High: >158 µg/dL
Clinical Significance
Iron
- Serum iron, TIBC and transferrin are usually ordered together and, subsequently, the transferrin saturation can be determined and used to assess how much iron is being carried in the blood.
- Low iron may meet nutrient deficiency or chronic illness.
Treatment Options
Iron
- Treatment is based on etiology of elevation.
- High Iron – Increased levels may be seen in alcohol abuse, acute hepatitis, and infections. In severe cases of hemochromatosis, periodic removal of a prescribed amount of blood, also known as therapeutic phlebotomy, may be necessary.
- Low Iron – supplemental iron
