Question 1

i don't understand lab results. iron 66, slight hemolysis; iron binding 417; iron sat16; ferritin 28. what qs should i ask? do i need more tests?

Accepted Answer

Mild iron def: I recommend you to follow up with your doc and discuss about the result. Ask your doctor to tell you what the interpretation of the blood work that you got- especially if you dont understand what it means. It will depend on your circumstances- whether you have any symptom, what other medical problems you have, what other blood works have been done-etc. You doctor has all those information. D/w md.

Question 2

i have anemia. latest test shows iron 22 %5 ferritin 2. labs also show mch 25.4 mchc 30.7 rdw 16.6 mpv 13. cause for worry? connected to anemia?

Accepted Answer

Iron Deficieny: Sure looks like you have Iron deficiency. Do you get heavy periods ?  You have almost no storage iron or make red blood cells and this is what the  low  ferritin about.  Take 1 iron pill a day at the least.

Question 3

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 4

ive had tongue burning for several months with lesions that come and go. labs were normal last fall but new ones from last week show all normal except low iron saturation at 14%. i was on my period, but it was normal. what tests should be done now?

Accepted Answer

: Your vitamin B12  level should be checked as deficiency of this vitamin can cause burning tongue syndrome.. However you probably are also experiencing recurrent canker sores. which can be caused by stress &amp; certain foods. Keep a daily diary of what you eat and see if you can identify triggers of these lesions Take multivitamins with iron. Rinsing your tongue with maalox can help. sooth mouth soren

Question 5

my recent lab tests came back with iron level of 30, transferrin of 20%, low vitamin d, high b12 and high folate. is this cause for concern?

Accepted Answer

Lab values: Low iron exists. Low vitamin D exists.  These are not major threats but should be remedied.  Take iron daily as a supplement.  And add Vit d as a supplement.  A real good iron pill is vitron C    A good dose of Vit D is 1000 units per day

Question 6

my labs were iron:197 with high tibc and low ferritin levels what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Need more info: 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 ferritin level and your hemoglobin. However since you are likely to be losing blood each month through your periods, it would be appropriate to take oral iron supplement.
For 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. 
Get HPV vaccine.

Question 7

my 39y/o husband has not been diagnosed w any conditions recent labs showed iron level-127 but tibc-214, % sat-59% and ferritin-412 does he need iron?

Accepted Answer

no: The results you list suggest he may have too much iron, not too little. Discuss this with his doctor.

Question 8

how bad are these lab values: iron sat 3%, tibc 840, iron total serum 25?

Accepted Answer

: Labs are not bad or good, they are used to establish diagnoses. In your case the partial values presented suggest iron deficiency, your treating doc remains best to place your labs in context ( connect with your symptoms/ exam).

Question 9

my labs: iron 205 (ref 27-159ug/dl), and iron saturation 61 (ref 15-55%).  tibc and uibc in normal range.  thoughts?

Accepted Answer

See below: 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, if you are taking iron supplement you may stop doing that.

Question 10

my iron % saturation level is 16 lab ref (25-45) am i anemic?

Accepted Answer

Anemia: What is your hemoglobin? Anemia is diagnosed when your hemoglobin is below the normal level . The normal range will be different in male vs female. Now, anemia can be caused by so many different things- one of them is iron deficiency. Your iron saturation is lower that the normal range-that is the only thing i can say. But i dont know if you are anemic or not without knowing your hemoglobin.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Iron profile lab test

A member asked:

I don't understand lab results. iron 66, slight hemolysis; iron binding 417; iron sat16; ferritin 28. what qs should i ask? do i need more tests?

A member asked:

I have anemia. latest test shows iron 22 %5 ferritin 2. labs also show mch 25.4 mchc 30.7 rdw 16.6 mpv 13. cause for worry? connected to anemia?

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:

Ive had tongue burning for several months with lesions that come and go. labs were normal last fall but new ones from last week show all normal except low iron saturation at 14%. i was on my period, but it was normal. what tests should be done now?

A member asked:

My recent lab tests came back with iron level of 30, transferrin of 20%, low vitamin d, high b12 and high folate. is this cause for concern?

A member asked:

My labs were iron:197 with high tibc and low ferritin levels what does this mean?

A member asked:

My 39y/o husband has not been diagnosed w any conditions recent labs showed iron level-127 but tibc-214, % sat-59% and ferritin-412 does he need iron?

A member asked:

How bad are these lab values: iron sat 3%, tibc 840, iron total serum 25?

A member asked:

My labs: iron 205 (ref 27-159ug/dl), and iron saturation 61 (ref 15-55%). tibc and uibc in normal range. thoughts?

A member asked:

My iron % saturation level is 16 lab ref (25-45) am i anemic?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?