What does the Serum Iron - IRON blood test mean? Get a free analysis of your blood test now. Here's what you get with our free analysis:
The Serum Iron test measures the amount of iron in the liquid part of blood (serum). Iron is crucial for the production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. This test is often used in conjunction with other iron tests to assess iron status, diagnose iron deficiency or iron overload conditions, and monitor treatment for these disorders. It can help identify causes of anemia, evaluate iron metabolism, and screen for hereditary hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder causing iron buildup in organs.
A low serum iron level may indicate iron deficiency anemia, which can result from inadequate dietary iron intake, poor iron absorption, or blood loss. It may also be associated with chronic diseases, infections, or inflammation. In some cases, low serum iron can be seen in protein deficiency or liver disease. Further testing, such as ferritin levels and total iron-binding capacity, is usually needed to confirm the cause of low serum iron.
Elevated serum iron levels may suggest iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder causing excessive iron absorption and storage. It can also occur with liver disease, acute hepatitis, or excessive iron supplementation. In some cases, high serum iron can be seen in lead poisoning or following multiple blood transfusions. As with low levels, additional tests are typically required to determine the underlying cause and assess overall iron status.