General & Blood Fasting RequiredTurnaround: 6–12 hours (same day)

Iron Profile & Serum Ferritin

Also known as: Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Serum Iron & Transferrin Saturation, Ferritin Test, Iron Studies Panel

Parameters Measured in the Report

A breakdown of individual biomarkers and biological reference intervals typically found in your report:

Biomarker	Standard Range	Unit	What It Means
Serum Ferritin (Ferritin)	Men: 24–336 Women: 11–307 (Deficient: < 15–30)	ng/mL (µg/L)	The primary iron-storage protein; the most specific indicator of total body iron reserves.
Serum Iron (Fe)	Men: 65–175 Women: 50–170	µg/dL	Concentration of iron currently bound to transferrin in circulation.
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) (TIBC)	240–450	µg/dL	Measures total capacity of transferrin proteins available to bind iron; rises during iron deficiency.
Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)	20%–50% (Deficient: < 16%–20%)	%	Percentage of transferrin iron-binding sites currently occupied by iron.

* Note: Reference ranges may vary slightly between testing instruments and reagent kits. Always refer to the reference interval printed on your specific pathology report.

Clinical Focus

Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), Transferrin Saturation (% Sat), and Stored Tissue Ferritin.

Sample & Specimen

Venous blood (Serum tube)

Fasting Protocol

10 to 12 hours overnight fasting preferred because circulating iron levels fluctuate with recent meals.

Turnaround Time

6–12 hours (same day)

What Is This Test?

An Iron Profile evaluates both the circulating iron available in your bloodstream and the stored iron reserves kept inside your bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Iron is the fundamental building block of hemoglobin, the protein that binds and carries oxygen to every living cell. While serum iron measures iron actively attached to the transport protein transferrin, Serum Ferritin is the key diagnostic marker that reflects your body’s total iron savings bank. Low ferritin confirms depleted iron stores long before red blood cells become physically deformed or microcytic.

Why Did Your Doctor Order This Test?

Physicians routinely prescribe the Iron Studies in the following clinical scenarios:

Follow-up evaluation of microcytic hypochromic anemia (low MCV < 80 fL on CBC)

Chronic fatigue, cold intolerance, brittle spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia), restless legs, or hair thinning

Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) in women of reproductive age or occult gastrointestinal blood loss

Screening for iron overload in patients requiring frequent blood transfusions or with hereditary hemochromatosis

How to Prepare Before Your Test

Fasting Requirement: 10 to 12 hours overnight fasting preferred because circulating iron levels fluctuate with recent meals.

Overnight fasting of 10–12 hours is recommended. Morning blood draw is preferred due to diurnal iron variation.
Do not take oral iron pills or iron-containing multivitamins for at least 24 hours prior to blood collection.

Understanding Your Results

What higher or lower readings generally mean in clinical practice:

If Values Are Higher Than Normal

Elevated ferritin (>400–1,000 ng/mL) with high transferrin saturation (>50%) indicates iron overload (hemochromatosis) or multiple transfusions. Ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant, meaning it can be falsely elevated during active infections, chronic liver disease, or inflammatory flares even if true bone marrow iron is low.

If Values Are Lower Than Normal

Low serum ferritin (<30 ng/mL) accompanied by high TIBC and low TSAT (<16%) is the definitive diagnostic signature of Iron Deficiency Anemia, signaling the need for iron supplementation and clinical investigation into chronic blood loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can ferritin be normal even if I have iron deficiency?

Ferritin acts as an acute-phase inflammatory protein. If you have an active infection, arthritis, or liver inflammation, ferritin levels surge, potentially masking underlying iron deficiency. Doctors evaluate transferrin saturation alongside ferritin to verify.

Related Laboratory Tests

Tests frequently prescribed together or used as follow-up investigations:

Complete Blood Count (CBC / Hemogram)

Counts and evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9 / Serum Folate)

Circulating concentration of water-soluble Vitamin B9 (folate) essential for one-carbon metabolism and DNA synthesis.

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

Total concentration of water-soluble vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in blood serum.

Medical & Diagnostic Disclaimer

This guide is published for educational and patient informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or clinical advice.

A laboratory result that falls slightly outside standard statistical reference intervals does not automatically indicate disease; conversely, a normal result does not guarantee the absence of medical conditions. Only your attending physician can interpret lab findings in the context of your medical history, physical exam, and symptoms.