Iron Profile Test

Iron profile test

It is a blood test used to measure iron levels in the body. Iron is a vital mineral which is required in formation of haemoglobin in the body. Haemoglobin is a protein which is present in red blood cells (RBC). These RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body and reach all the cells and tissues. The decrease in iron levels in the body results in iron deficiency anaemia.

Iron is a vital mineral which our body gets through the food we eat or through iron supplements. This iron is absorbed in the intestines and transported in body by binding to transferrin (protein produced by liver). excess iron is stored in form of ferritin.

Why is iron profile test prescribed?

Your health care provider may order these tests;

1. To diagnose iron deficiency anaemia in case of symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, breathlessness, headache, weakness, palpitation etc

2. To diagnose iron overload in body in case of symptoms like fatigue, abdominal pain, pain in joints, weakness etc

3. To monitor response of treatment of above mentioned conditions

What are the components of this test?

Serum Iron test is a measurement of the circulating iron that is bound to Transferrin (which is generally 25-30% saturated with iron). The additional amount of iron that can be bound is the unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC). The Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) can be indirectly determined using the sum of the serum iron and UIBC.

Approximately 65% of the iron in the body is bound up in haemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. About 4% is bound up
in myoglobin molecules. Around 30% of the iron in the body is stored as ferritin or hemosiderin in the spleen, the bone marrow and the liver. Small amounts of iron can be found in other molecules in cells throughout the body. This iron cannot be measured.

Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and percent saturation are widely used for the diagnosis of iron deficiency. 

Reference range

1. Serum Iron-50 to 170 micrograms/decilitre

2. TIBC-Total iron binding capacity-250 to 450 micrograms/decilitre

3. Transferrin saturation-20% to 50%

These values vary from lab to lab