What it means
Iron is needed to make hemoglobinHEE-muh-gloh-binThe iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and the blood test that measures it.hem/o bloodglobin proteinFull entry . The serum iron measures the iron bound to its carrier protein, transferrin. It is read together with total iron-binding capacityTOE-tul EYE-ern BYND-ing kuh-PAS-ih-teeA blood test that measures how much iron the blood's carrier protein, transferrin, could hold.Full entry and ferritin to sort out kinds of anemiauh-NEE-mee-uhA lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.a- without, lacking-emia blood conditionFull entry and to find iron overload. The level is highest in the morning and drops after meals and through the day.
For the nurse
Draw it in the morning, fasting if the lab asks. Iron pills taken shortly before the test can raise the result, so follow the lab's instructions on holding them.
At a glance
| Normal range | Men about 65–180 mcg/dL [11.6–32.2 µmol/L]; women about 30–170 mcg/dL [5.4–30.4 µmol/L]. Ranges vary by lab. |
|---|---|
| Also written | iron level, serum iron level |
Related terms
hemoglobin
The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and the blood test that measures it.
anemia
A lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
ferritin
A protein that stores iron in the body; its blood level shows how much iron is stored.
total iron-binding capacity
A blood test that measures how much iron the blood's carrier protein, transferrin, could hold.