Blood Deficiency & Anemia - Bloody Good
Iron Studies

Iron Studies (including Ferritin)

The Iron Studies Test, including ferritin, measures iron levels and how well your body stores and uses iron. Low iron may be linked to anaemia, fatigue, or poor concentration, while high levels may point to iron overload or inflammation.

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Iron Studies (including Ferritin)

Constantly tired despite getting enough sleep, or wondering if your fatigue, weakness, or unusual cravings could be signs of iron deficiency affecting your energy levels?

Overview

Iron acts like your body's delivery service for oxygen - without enough of it, your cells can't get the oxygen they need to function properly, leaving you feeling exhausted and run down. Think of iron as the key ingredient in hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to every part of your body. But here's the thing: your body needs just the right amount of iron, not too little and not too much, which is why iron management is such a delicate balancing act.

This comprehensive test examines multiple aspects of your iron status to give you the complete picture. It measures how much iron is currently circulating in your blood, checks your iron storage levels (like looking at your body's iron bank account), evaluates your iron transport capacity, and determines how efficiently your iron delivery system is working. Iron imbalances are surprisingly common - especially in women, vegetarians, and athletes - and can cause symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or restless legs. On the flip side, too much iron can also be problematic and potentially damage organs, so this test helps identify whether your symptoms stem from iron issues and guides the right approach to get you feeling your best again.

Reviewed by Dr. Vu Tran
Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer

Symptoms

You may benefit from this test if you experience:
Feeling tired all the time Extreme fatigue that doesn't improve with rest Unusual cravings for ice or starch Restless leg syndrome Pale skin or pale nail beds Hair loss or thinning Heavy menstrual periods

Purpose

Essential for anyone experiencing unexplained fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath. Particularly important for women with heavy periods, vegetarians, vegans, athletes, pregnant women, and children during growth phases. Valuable for investigating restless leg syndrome, unusual ice or starch cravings, pale skin, or brittle nails. Important for monitoring iron supplementation effectiveness.

How to prepare

Fasting for 8-12 hours required for accurate iron and transferrin saturation measurements. Morning collection preferred as iron levels fluctuate during the day. Avoid iron supplements for 24 hours before testing unless specifically advised otherwise. Inform your healthcare provider about any medications or recent blood transfusions.

Understanding results

Normal ranges: Serum Iron 10-30 μmol/L, Ferritin 20-250 μg/L (men), 10-120 μg/L (women), Transferrin Saturation 20-45%. Low ferritin indicates iron deficiency; low iron with high TIBC suggests iron deficiency anaemia; high ferritin may indicate iron overload, inflammation, or liver disease. Results are interpreted together for accurate diagnosis.

After the test

Discuss results with your healthcare provider to determine appropriate treatment. Iron deficiency typically requires iron supplementation, dietary changes, and investigation of underlying causes like heavy bleeding. Iron overload may require therapeutic blood removal or chelation therapy. Follow-up testing recommended every 3-6 months to monitor treatment response and prevent iron overload.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Low haemoglobin indicates anaemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Common causes include iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, chronic disease, or blood loss.
  • Elevated white blood cells usually indicate your immune system is responding to infection, inflammation, or stress. However, very high levels may require further investigation to rule out blood disorders.
  • Low platelets can result from decreased production (bone marrow problems), increased destruction (immune conditions), or sequestration (enlarged spleen). This can increase bleeding and bruising risk.
  • For healthy adults, every 1-2 years during routine check-ups. More frequent testing may be needed if you have chronic conditions, take certain medications, or have abnormal previous results.
  • Yes, dehydration can concentrate your blood, making cell counts appear higher than normal. Ensure adequate hydration before testing for accurate results.
  • Red cell Distribution Width (RDW) measures variation in red blood cell size. High RDW can indicate nutritional deficiencies, blood disorders, or chronic diseases even when overall cell counts appear normal.
Iron Studies (including Ferritin)

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How it works

What to expect

We want you to feel bloody good—inside and out. Regular testing isn’t just about checking your current health; it helps you spot abnormal values you might not know about.

1

Book your referral

Choose the testing that suits your goals. After ordering, you will receive your referral by email.

2

Collect your sample

Easy sample collection at one of our 4000+ partner collection centres throughout Australia. Find nearest

3
Receive your results

Receive your results

View your lab results and receive a personalised review from the secure Bloody Good platform.

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