Lab test · Vitamins
Iron Profile (Iron Studies)
Iron status, anaemia
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 2 days
- Home collection
What this test is for
Iron status, anaemia
An iron profile is a group of blood tests that shows how much iron your body has and how it is being used. It includes serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation and ferritin, which reflects your iron stores. Looking at all four together helps your doctor tell whether you are short of iron, have too much, or have anaemia for another reason.
Why a doctor may order it
- To find the cause of anaemia or a low haemoglobin
- Ongoing tiredness, pale skin, breathlessness, brittle nails or hair loss
- Heavy periods, pregnancy or blood loss, which increase the risk of iron deficiency
- To look for iron overload, for example in people who have many blood transfusions for thalassaemia
- To check how well iron treatment is working
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
Eat and drink as usual before the sample. Tell your doctor if you take iron tablets or tonics, because recent iron can make the iron results look higher than they are. A morning collection is often preferred.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- One blood sample from a vein in your arm, taken at home by a trained collector, is enough for every part of the iron profile. It takes a few minutes.
- Report
- Within 2 days of collection.
What the results can mean
Each part of the profile is shown with its reference range. Low ferritin, low serum iron, high TIBC and low saturation together point to iron deficiency, while high ferritin and high saturation can suggest iron overload. Ferritin also rises with infection, inflammation and liver disease, so a normal ferritin does not always rule out low iron. Your doctor will interpret the overall pattern with your blood count and symptoms.
What's included
This test reports 4 measurements:
- Serum iron
- TIBC
- Transferrin saturation
- Ferritin
Related tests
- Serum FerritinIron stores, anaemia৳550
- Serum IronIron status, anaemia৳450
- Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)TIBC measures how much iron your blood could carry if all of its iron-carrying protein, transferrin, were full, so it is an indirect measure of transferrin.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- Haemoglobin ElectrophoresisHaemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)Vitamin B12, nerves & anaemia৳950
Questions people ask
What is included in an iron profile?
It usually includes serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation and ferritin. Together they show both the iron in circulation and the iron stored in the body.
Which is the most useful test for iron deficiency?
Ferritin is usually the most useful single marker, because a low ferritin strongly suggests low iron stores. The other parts help when ferritin is raised by inflammation.
Can I have iron deficiency without anaemia?
Yes. Iron stores can run low before haemoglobin falls. An iron profile can pick this up earlier than a blood count alone.
How much does a Iron profile test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳820, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Iron profile test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Iron profile report take?
The report is usually ready within 2 days of the sample being collected.