Iron Panel or Iron Profile

Who should get tested for Iron Lab Test Profile ?

One or more iron tests may be ordered when results from a routine CBC test are abnormal, such as a low hematocrit or hemoglobin, or when a doctor suspects that a person has iron deficiency due to the presence of signs and symptoms such as:

• chronic fatigue/tiredness
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Headaches
• Pale skin (pallor)

Ferritin, transferrin saturation, and a TIBC or UIBC may be ordered when a doctor suspects that a person may have a chronic iron overload (Hemochromatosis). HFE genetic testing may be ordered to help confirm a diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis and sometimes when a person has a family history of hemochromatosis.

An iron test and sometimes TIBC and ferritin tests may be ordered when a person has symptoms that the doctor suspects are due to iron overload or poisoning. These may include:

• Joint pain
• Fatigue, weakness
• Lack of energy
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of sex drive
• Heart problems

When a child is suspected to have excessively ingested iron tablets, a serum iron test is ordered to detect and help assess the severity of the poisoning.

Why should you get tested for Iron Lab Test Profile ?

Signs and symptoms related to low levels or high levels of iron are frequently not detectable until late stages, and by then the damage to your body may be extensive and beyond repair. 

By testing for iron levels early or screening lab tests can help detect such abnormal levels early and your doctor can provide you appropriate treatment and help you maintain your health. 

What are the problems you can prevent by having Iron Profile Lab Test ?

High level of iron and low level of iron are both related to significant health hazards. By testing for your body iron levels, you can take necessary steps and treatment to prevent these health problems.

Problems arising from low levels of iron: 

• Iron deficiency is a condition resulting from too little iron in the body. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the world. 
• Iron deficiency at critical times of growth and development can result in premature births, low birth weight babies, delayed growth and development, delayed normal infant activity and movement. 
• Iron deficiency can result in poor memory or poor cognitive skills (mental function) and can result in poor performance in school, work,and in military or recreational activities. Lower IQs have been linked to iron deficiency occurring during critical periods of growth.

Problems arising from high levels of iron: 

• Iron overload is an excess (too much) iron in the body. 
• Excess iron in vital organs, even in mild cases of iron overload, increases the risk for liver disease (cirrhosis, cancer), heart attack or heart failure, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, numerous symptoms and in some cases premature death. 
• Iron mismanagement resulting in overload can accelerate such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s, early-onset Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.

When should you get tested for Iron Profile lab tests ?

The following signs and symptoms suggest that you have abnormal iron levels and you should get a Iron Profile tested in lab. Also your physican can advice you when you need to get this lab test profile tested: 

Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency

A person who is iron deficient may also be anemic and as a result may have one or more symptoms of anemia. These can include, 

• chronic fatigue
• weakness
• dizziness
• headaches
• depression
• sore tongue
• sensitivity to cold (low body temp)
• shortness of breath doing simple tasks (climbing stairs, walking short distances, doing housework)
• restless legs syndrome
• pica (the desire to chew ice or non-food items,)
• loss of interest in work, recreation, relationships, and intimacy.

Symptoms, signs and diseases resulting from too much iron (iron overload):

• chronic fatigue
• joint pain
• abdominal pain
• liver disease (cirrhosis, liver cancer)
• diabetes mellitus  
• irregular heart rhythm
• heart attack or heart failure
• skin color changes (bronze, ashen-gray green)
• loss of period
• loss of interest in sex
• osteoarthritis
• osteoporosis
• hair loss
• enlarged liver or spleen
• impotence
• infertility
• hypogonadism
• hypothyroidism
• hypopituitarism
• depression
• adrenal function problems
• early onset neurodegenerative disease
• elevated blood sugar
• elevated liver enzymes
• elevated iron (serum iron, serum ferritin)