What are iron tests?
Iron tests measure different substances in the blood to check iron levels in your body. Iron is a mineral that’s essential for making red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Iron is also important for healthy muscles, bone marrow, and organ function. Iron levels that are too low or too high can cause serious health problems.
What are they used for?
Iron tests are most often used to:
- Check if your iron levels are too low, a sign of anemia
- Diagnose different types of anemia
- Check if your iron levels are too high, which could be a sign of hemochromatosis. This is a rare genetic disorder that causes too much iron to build up in the body.
- See if treatments for iron deficiency (low iron levels) or excess iron (high iron levels) are working
Why do I need an iron test?
You may need testing if you have symptoms of iron levels that are too low or too high.
Symptoms of iron levels that are too low include:
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
Symptoms of iron levels that are too high include:
- Joint pain
- Abdominal pain
- Lack of energy
- Weight loss
What happens during an iron test?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
Your health care provider may ask you to fast (not eat or drink) for 12 hours before your test. The test is usually done in the morning. If you have any questions about how to prepare for your test, talk to your health care provider.
Are there any risks to iron tests?
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
If one or more iron test results show your iron levels are too low, it may mean you have:
- Iron deficiency anemia, a common type of anemia. Anemia is a disorder in which your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells.
- Another type of anemia
- Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to make fewer than normal healthy red blood cells
If one or more iron test results show your iron levels are too high, it may mean you have:
- Hemochromatosis, a disorder that causes too much iron to build up in the body
- Lead poisoning
- Liver disease
Most conditions that cause too little or too much iron can be successfully treated with iron supplements, diet, medicines, and/or other therapies.
If your iron test results are not normal, it does not necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment. Some medicines, including birth control pills and estrogen treatments, can affect iron levels. Iron levels may also be lower for women during their menstrual cycles