$3.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Blood & iron
Serum iron test
Total iron. Iron in circulation; part of iron studies along with TIBC, ferritin, and saturation.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Fast for 8–12 hours first
Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Measures the iron moving through your blood right now. It can change through the day and after meals, so it’s read together with tests of your iron stores.
Why it matters for women
Periods, pregnancy, and childbirth can all draw on iron, so low iron can be common in women. On the other side, periods can mask inherited iron overload, which can show up in women after menopause. Because blood iron can swing from day to day, it’s best read with your iron stores.
You might check it if…
- you feel tired or weak more than usual
- your periods are heavy
- a relative has hemochromatosis, an inherited iron overload
- a doctor wants a full picture of your iron
What your result may mean
High Serum iron: what it may mean
High serum iron may point to hemochromatosis, an inherited iron overload condition, to liver disease, or to hemolysis, when red blood cells break down early. A recent iron pill can also raise it for a while. Because periods can mask inherited iron overload, it may not appear in women until after menopause. Joint pain or tiredness can occur, or there may be no symptoms. Blood iron can swing from hour to hour, so one reading may mean little without ferritin and transferrin.
Low Serum iron: what it may mean
Low serum iron may point to iron deficiency, long-lasting inflammation, or too little iron from food or poor absorption. Periods, pregnancy and childbirth can all draw on iron, and conditions such as celiac disease can limit how much you absorb. Weakness, tiredness and shortness of breath can come with it. Levels can dip later in the day, and inflammation can lock iron away in storage, so a low result can't show empty stores by itself. Ferritin, TIBC and saturation can fill in the rest of the picture.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.