Iron (Serum)
Discover Serum Iron levels for oxygen transport and energy metabolism assessment. Monitor iron status for vitality optimization.
What is Serum Iron?
Serum iron measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin in your blood at the time of testing. Iron is essential for oxygen transport, energy production, and DNA synthesis, but serum iron can fluctuate significantly throughout the day and with meals.
Why is it Tested?
Doctors order serum iron as part of iron studies to investigate anemia, assess iron deficiency or overload, and evaluate unexplained fatigue. It’s typically ordered alongside ferritin, TIBC, and transferrin saturation for comprehensive iron status assessment.
Normal Ranges
Reference ranges vary by gender:
- Men: 60–170 μg/dL
- Women: 37–145 μg/dL
Iron levels are typically higher in the morning and can vary significantly with recent iron intake.
Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.
Low Iron
Reduced levels may indicate:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Chronic blood loss
- Poor iron absorption
- Inflammatory conditions
- Inadequate dietary iron
High Iron
Elevated levels suggest:
- Hemochromatosis (iron overload)
- Recent iron supplementation
- Liver disease
- Repeated blood transfusions
- Certain infections
How to Track Over Time
Serum iron alone is not reliable for tracking iron status due to daily fluctuations. It’s best interpreted alongside ferritin and transferrin saturation. Consistent patterns over time, rather than single values, provide more meaningful insights into iron metabolism.
Track your Iron (Serum) results over time
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