Test Detail
Understanding the Test
Test Measures
Interpreting Results
FAQ's
References
Other Tests
Content created by
Written by
Dr. Betina Chandolia
BDS, MDS - Oral Pathology and Microbiology
Reviewed by
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

Serum Iron Studies Basic

Also known as Iron serum, Iron indices, Iron profile
Serum Iron Studies Basic Includes 4 testsView All
You need to provide
Blood
This test is for
Male, Female
Test Preparation
  1. Overnight fasting is preferred.
  2. Avoid iron supplements for at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection.

Understanding Serum Iron Studies Basic


What is Serum Iron Studies Basic?

A Serum Iron Studies Basic is a set of blood tests that measures the amount of iron present in your body. This test is done if your doctor suspects iron deficiency or overload. It may also be done as a follow-up to certain routine rests, like a complete blood count or during anemia therapy, when they show abnormal results.

Iron is an essential nutrient required to produce healthy red blood cells (RBCs). It is an important part of hemoglobin, the protein in RBCs that combines with oxygen and is transported to various body parts and supports bodily functions and processes. Low levels of iron can be due to anemia, decreased intake of iron during pregnancy and lactation, or acute or chronic blood loss. Whereas, high levels (hemochromatosis) of iron in the body may indicate a possible case of severe liver disease.

You may need a Serum Iron Studies Basic test if you experience symptoms suggestive of abnormal iron levels, such as pale skin, fatigue, headaches, weakness, and joint and abdominal pain. Most of the conditions that affect iron levels can be successfully treated with iron supplements, diet, and medicines. Overnight fasting is preferred but not mandatory before undergoing a Serum Iron Studies Basic test. It is also important to inform the doctor about any of the medicines you are taking, especially iron supplements, as some of them may affect your iron levels and need to be adjusted or temporarily discontinued before the test.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help the doctor determine your medical condition, recommend lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medications are required to manage your condition, and formulate your overall treatment plan. 

What is Serum Iron Studies Basic used for?

A Serum Iron Studies Basic test can be done:

  • As part of routine health checkups to estimate iron levels in your body.

  • If you have signs or symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia, like pallor, fatigue, weakness, or headaches.

  • If your CBC test results show that your hemoglobin and hematocrit are low and RBCs are smaller and paler than normal, which usually suggests iron-deficiency anemia. 

  • If you have signs or symptoms of increased accumulation of iron in the body, like joint pain, abdominal pain, fatigue, or loss of body hair.

What does Serum Iron Studies Basic measure?

Contains 4 tests

A Serum Iron Studies Basic test measures the level of iron in the body. It comprises a series of blood tests, including serum iron test that helps to evaluate iron level, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) test that helps to assess the ability of the body to transport iron in the blood, unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) test that reflects binding of iron with transferrin which is the main protein that binds with iron, and transferrin saturation test that checks how many places on your transferrin that can hold iron are actually doing so.

Iron Serum

Total Iron Binding Capacity

Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity

Transferrin Saturation

Interpreting Serum Iron Studies Basic results


Interpretations

 

  • A low iron with a high TIBC and transferrin usually indicates iron deficiency anemia. Various causes of iron deficiency are decreased intake, pregnancy, lactation, malabsorption syndromes 
  • High levels of serum iron can occur as a result of multiple blood transfusions, lead poisoning, liver diseases, sideroblastic anemia, hemachromatosis 

 

 

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Serum Iron Studies Basic


Frequently Asked Questions about Serum Iron Studies Basic

Q. Why is a [test_name} test performed?

A Serum Iron Studies Basic test helps to measure iron levels in the blood. This test is essential for diagnosing and monitoring various types of anemias or iron overload (excess).

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of anemia?

The signs and symptoms of anemia include chronic fatigue, tiredness, dizziness, weakness, headache, and pale skin.

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of iron overload?

The signs and symptoms of iron overload include joint pain, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, lack of energy, abdominal pain, loss of sex drive, and damage to organs such as the heart or liver.

Q. What are the possible causes of iron deficiency?

Common causes of iron deficiency include not getting enough iron in your diet, chronic blood loss, pregnancy, and vigorous exercise.

Q. What are the natural food sources of iron?

Spinach, broccoli, lentils, peas, figs, dates, dark chocolate, tofu, and eggs are some of the natural food sources of iron.

Q. What causes iron deficiency in children?

Premature birth and low birth weight, feeding children less than 2 years of age a high quantity of cow’s milk, providing a poor diet to children in the second year of their life, and possible gastrointestinal diseases, etc., may lead to iron deficiency in children.

Q. What is iron-deficiency anemia?

Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body does not have enough iron to make hemoglobin. Iron-deficiency symptoms, such as fatigue, extreme weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, etc., may develop over time. Your doctor may prescribe iron supplements to treat iron-deficiency anemia.

Q. Are there any risks associated with a Serum Iron Studies Basic test?

No, usually there are no risks associated with this test. A blood sample is withdrawn with the help of a needle and the process is fairly fast and relatively painless. Very rarely, you may experience excessive pain, bleeding, hematoma (blood collection under the skin), bruising, or infection at the site of the needle prick. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
+ more

INDIA’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

260m+
Visitors
31m+
Orders Delivered
1800+
Cities
Get the link to download App
Reliable

All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies. All labs listed on the platform are accredited

Secure

Tata 1mg uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant

Affordable

Find affordable medicine substitutes, save up to 50% on health products, up to 80% off on lab tests and free doctor consultations.

Know more about Tata 1mgdownArrow

Access medical and health information

Tata 1mg provides you with medical information which is curated, written and verified by experts, accurate and trustworthy. Our experts create high-quality content about medicines, diseases, lab investigations, Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products, Ayurvedic herbs/ingredients, and alternative remedies.

Order medicines online

Get free medicine home delivery in over 1800 cities across India. You can also order Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and other Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products. Your safety is our top priority. All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies.

Book lab tests

Book any lab tests and preventive health packages from certified labs and get tested from the comfort of your home. Enjoy free home sample collection, view reports online and consult a doctor online for free.

Consult a doctor online

Got a health query? Consult doctors online from the comfort of your home for free. Chat privately with our registered medical specialists to connect directly with verified doctors. Your privacy is guaranteed.