iron studies

Introduction

Clinical chemistry tests to assess iron status, generally in the workup of anemia (rule in/out iron-deficiency anemia) or polycythemia.

Tests include:

• serum iron
• serum transferrin (% transferrin saturation)
• total iron-binding capacity
• serum ferritin

More general terms

• chemistry panel

Components

• iron (Fe+2/Fe+3) in serum
• transferrin in serum
• transferrin saturation in serum/plasma
• iron-binding capacity in serum (TIBC)
• ferritin in serum/plasma