Transferrin saturation test was done without fasting and in the afternoon. will it help to diagnose hemochromatosis? i was told fasting was not needed

Iron tests: Several tests are used to diagnose anemia and iron overload (hemochromatosis). Serum iron can be elevated by eating and can fluctuate during the day, serum iron measurements should be done fasting, usually in the morning before breakfast. Other tests are ferritin, tibc, transferrin saturation. Definitive test is a liver biopsy. See http://www.Medicinenet.Com/iron_overload/page3.Htm.

Correct: It's a pretty good screen for hemochromatosis, but if you're really worried -- you have elevated liver enzymes, or a family history, or imaging findings -- get a serum ferritin and/or a HFE gene study in addition.