Lab tests
Iron studies explainer
Iron studies are four or five related results that only make sense together, and some go up when others go down. Add your report below to see each line named, with your value and the laboratory's range.
Explain your iron studies
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What you get
- Each iron result on its own row with your report's units.
- Which lines are measured and which are calculated.
- Plain definitions of ferritin, transferrin and TIBC.
- Questions to ask about the overall pattern.
Lines you will usually see
- Serum ironThe amount of iron circulating in the blood at the time of the test
- FerritinA protein that stores iron, used as a guide to the body's iron stores
- TransferrinThe protein that carries iron in the blood
- TIBC (total iron-binding capacity)How much iron the blood could carry
- Transferrin saturationThe percentage of that carrying capacity in use
What this tool cannot tell you
Serum iron changes through the day and after meals, and ferritin also rises with inflammation and illness, so no single line settles the question. MedicDecode explains each line and what your report flags. It does not diagnose iron deficiency or overload, and it does not advise on supplements.
Common questions
Is transferrin saturation measured?
No. It is calculated from the serum iron and the TIBC or transferrin result.
Why did my doctor only order ferritin?
Ferritin is often used on its own as a first check of iron stores, with the fuller panel added if the result needs explaining.
Should I take iron tablets if my results are low?
MedicDecode cannot advise on that. Ask your doctor, who will want to know why the results are low before suggesting anything.
Words you may see on this report
Tap a word for its plain-English meaning, an example line and what it does not mean.
- Ferritin
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron; its blood level gives a good idea of how much iron the body has in reserve.
- MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)
MCV is the average size of your red blood cells; it helps doctors narrow down the possible reasons for anaemia.
- ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
ALT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver; when liver cells are irritated or damaged, more ALT leaks into the blood.
- AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
AST is an enzyme found in the liver, muscles, heart and other tissues; raised levels can signal stress or damage in one of these.
- Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a yellow substance made when old red blood cells break down; the liver processes it so it can leave the body.
- Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product from normal muscle activity that the kidneys filter out, so its blood level helps show how well the kidneys work.
- CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
CRP is a protein made by the liver that rises quickly when there is inflammation or infection in the body.
- Culture and Sensitivity
A culture and sensitivity test grows germs from a sample to identify them, then checks which antibiotics can stop them.
- eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)
eGFR is an estimate of how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood, calculated from a creatinine blood test plus details like age.
- Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals in the blood, such as sodium, potassium and chloride, that carry an electric charge and help the body work.
- ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)
ESR measures how fast red blood cells sink in a tube of blood over an hour; a faster rate can be a general sign of inflammation.
- Fasting Sample
A fasting sample is blood taken after you have had nothing to eat or drink except water for a set number of hours.