Question 1

what does a high iron saturation in a blood test mean?

Accepted Answer

? hemachromatosis: It might be either primary or secondary hemochromatosis. Depending on how high the number, it will either require further testing for hemochromatosis now or monitoring over time. Hemochromatosis is a disease of iron overload easily managed by drawing off blood (kind of like blood donation) to deplete the excess iron. Be sure you aren't taking any iron supplements and follow up with your provider.

Question 2

what does a low iron saturation level in the blood mean?

Accepted Answer

Room for iron!: Most of the body's iron is bound to that red stuff in our red blood cells, hemoglobin. The rest is bound to proteins, like the blood protein transferrin.  If there are still more possible binding sites for iron on transferrin, then the iron saturation is low.  This can mean that the body's storage iron is running low. It can be seen before full iron deficiency anemia develops.

Question 3

i just got my blood tests back and it show my iron saturation % is a 9 and the norm is 15-55.  my other iron levels seem to b in the norm.i am tired!?

Accepted Answer

Early warning: Your physcian will sort out early iron deficiency, which produces tiredness before it produces anemia, and its mimcs which include the effects of chronic inflammation. If you are not a woman having fairly heavy periods or a zealous blood donor or on a seriously deficient diet, and you are iron deficient, it's also key to find why -- where are you losing blood, is it from serious disease?

Question 4

what causes high red blood cells & low iron? my rbc are 5.72, hematocrit 46.3, iron 43, iron saturation 12.1, ferritin 42, tibc 355, 
transferrin 284

Accepted Answer

Low iron is related : to low dietary intake or from slow blood loss.  Your serum iron and iron binding capacity suggests that your iron is low, but your Ferritin,  which is a test of cell storage iron is normal for men (20-500) The rbc of 5.72 and Hct of 46 are normal.   Anemia, or low rbc and Hct, are late findings after most iron stores are depleted. See https://www.healthline.com/health/ferritin

Question 5

blood donation 2 weeks later my platelets were high at 448. (cut off at 397) at time of donation they were 358. normal. all ther labs in cbc, cmp, tibc- normal except for iron saturation dropped to 15. is it normal for platelets to rise after?

Accepted Answer

: Iron deficiency is associated with elevated platelet counts. The act of donating blood probably tipped your iron stores to the low side and that can explain both elevated platelet count of low iron saturation. You may take oral iron and multivitamin supplements to address the issue.
I commend you for donating blood!

Question 6

i am worried about my daughters recent blood work. low hematocrit low hemoglobin high platelets low vit d low iron saturation high glucose high tsh.

Accepted Answer

Need to examine: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, it would have helped to have the actual values. She seems to have iron deficiency anemia and vitamin D deficiency. Both can be easily corrected. For glucose and TSH do need values. Talk to the doc who ordered tests.

Question 7

blood test showed low iron saturation at 14%, normal 20-40%. only other abnormal lab was elevated b12 at 1297. i do take a b12 supplement because i was told years ago i was deficient. are these concerning??

Accepted Answer

: Low iron saturation does not mean iron deficiency especially with normal RBC, Hb/Hct. TIBC and Ferritin level are required for the diagnosis of iron deficiency. You may be low in B12 in the past for many reasons and now it is over-corrected with supplement &amp; diet? To continue or not depend on the dose you currently take, your dietary habit (not eating animal products), etc. Discuss with your doc.

Question 8

30 year old female with following out of range blood results: 
iron: 235
tibc: 463, iron % saturation: 51, ferratin: 58. what could this indicate? feeling very worried!

Accepted Answer

No worry: Do you have any symptoms? Why were these tests done? All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, there is nothing to be concerned about the results you provided.
Wish you good health! - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 9

14 month son blood report.iron% saturation 15%lowhemoglobin 9.2lowhematocrit 29.4lowplatelet count 646higheverything else normal. what it means?

Accepted Answer

Anemia: He may have an iron deficiency anemia.  A low platelet count and blood count in a 14 month old boy can have many causes.  Viral infections, genetic diseases, medications, infections, lymphomas or leukemias are some of them.  He needs a complete physical exam and it is possible a bone marrow biopsy may need to be done.

Question 10

do i need a blood transfusion if my iron saturation is 7?

Accepted Answer

Depends on: Iron deficiency is treated with oral ferrous sulfate or IV dextran. However etiology of iron deficiency should be established. Blood transfusion will be determined by hemoglobin level, symptoms and speed of decrease.

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Doctor answers about:

High iron saturation levels in blood

A member asked:

What does a high iron saturation in a blood test mean?

A member asked:

What does a low iron saturation level in the blood mean?

A member asked:

I just got my blood tests back and it show my iron saturation % is a 9 and the norm is 15-55. my other iron levels seem to b in the norm.i am tired!?

A member asked:

What causes high red blood cells & low iron? my rbc are 5.72, hematocrit 46.3, iron 43, iron saturation 12.1, ferritin 42, tibc 355, transferrin 284

A member asked:

Blood donation 2 weeks later my platelets were high at 448. (cut off at 397) at time of donation they were 358. normal. all ther labs in cbc, cmp, tibc- normal except for iron saturation dropped to 15. is it normal for platelets to rise after?

A member asked:

I am worried about my daughters recent blood work. low hematocrit low hemoglobin high platelets low vit d low iron saturation high glucose high tsh.

A member asked:

Blood test showed low iron saturation at 14%, normal 20-40%. only other abnormal lab was elevated b12 at 1297. i do take a b12 supplement because i was told years ago i was deficient. are these concerning??

A member asked:

30 year old female with following out of range blood results: iron: 235 tibc: 463, iron % saturation: 51, ferratin: 58. what could this indicate? feeling very worried!

A member asked:

14 month son blood report.iron% saturation 15%lowhemoglobin 9.2lowhematocrit 29.4lowplatelet count 646higheverything else normal. what it means?

A member asked:

Do i need a blood transfusion if my iron saturation is 7?

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