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Doctor insights on:
Iron Profile Lab Test
1
What is a serum iron level also what does MCH & mchc stand for in lab test?
Numbers: Iron (not to be confused with hemoglobin) is the amount of the element in blood bound to plasma proteins. It's helps estimate how much iron is available to make more red cells. Mch and MCHC are mean corpuscular (red cell) hemoglobin and hemoglobin concentration; how well-hemoglobinized the red cells are (tends to be low in iron deficiency and some other illnesses.) iron deficiency's common & cruel. ...Read more
Laboratory (Definition)
Is facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments & measurements are performed. An example is medical (clinical) lab where tests are done on clinical specimens in order to get info. About the health of a patient in terms ...Read more
2
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?
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 don't 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. ...Read more
3
Hello, Doc. My lab results for my iron test came back and I need assistance reading them. Iron 34 ug/dL, Binding, Total 461 ug/dL, iron saturation 7%?
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. Having said that, your results suggest iron deficiency. You may take oral iron supplement and multivitamins. Iron deficiency is not uncommon in women due to menstrual blood loss.
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. 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.
Get HPV vaccine.
...Read more
4
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?
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. ...Read more
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?
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 ...Read more
6
I am getting tested for kidney disease after taking omeprazole 4 yrs. I tookpill for iron 4 sleepiness. Would my lab tests after3days be accurate?
Lab tests: I am getting tested for kidney disease after taking omeprazole 4 yrs. I tookpill for iron 4 sleepiness. Would my lab tests after3days be accurate? ANS: Should be. Let us know if not. Unlikely Omeprazpole caused kidney damage. ...Read more
7
My labs were Iron:197 with high TIbC and low ferritin levels what does this mean?
Iron deficiency: Ferritin is an indicator of long term storage fo iron and the TIBC is the chemical in the blood that binds and transports iron. TIBC usually increases when total body iron stores are low but can also increase with hormone supplements or pregnancy. Iron supplements are recommended and are available OTC. They may color BM's black and cause some constipation, so stool softeners are helpful. ...Read more
8
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?
No: The results you list suggest he may have too much iron, not too little. Discuss this with his doctor. ...Read more
9
I have low iron. Dr. Advised to change my diet and precribed iron supp. How can I be sure it is not related to a medical illness, would labs indicate?
Yes: It is a good idea to have further evaluation and find out the cause of low iron which could include, occult blood loss, poor nutrition, malignancy etc... ...Read more
10
Last year 18yr male athlete was getting tired quick. 2 sets of labs '13/'14 UIBC 102/ 120 TIBC 252/242 iron 150/122 ferr 187/107 transferr 234/226??
Missing information: I am sorry but this is not in any way the right or full set of labs to work up fatigue in an eighteen year old male. There is so much missing here that this is impossible to comment upon. Here on health tap we often have a hard time interpreting lab results because labs are only one piece of the story and are often reported to us missing the most vital of information. I am sorry. ...Read more
11
My iron % saturation level is 16 lab ref (25-45) am I anemic?
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 don't know if you are anemic or not without knowing your hemoglobin. ...Read more
12
My iron saturation is 8, the lab ref range is 15-55, what does this mean?
Iron Deficiency: You lack iron and are likely anemic or soon to be. The reason for this depends on your age, sex, symptoms, examination and results of other lab tests. Follow up with your doctor. At your age, and as a woman, iron deficiency is usually due to blood loss related to menstrual periods, and oral iron supplements are usually all that is necessary if other causes are ruled out. ...Read more
13
Receive labs results today. What could it mean when I have and iron saturation of 52% and normal ferritin levels? Is that bad?
Incomplete 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, there is nothing wrong in the information you provided. What is your hemoglobin?
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. 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.
Get HPV vaccine.
...Read more
14
My followup labs came back Iron 186, TIBC 272, Transferrin sat 68 and Ferritin 97.8. Should I still feel reassured about my lab values?
Yes: These results are consistent with normal iron stores. Is you hemoglobin normal? ...Read more
15
Took 2 tbsp blackstrap molasses for two months. New labs: sat. %18, ferritin 87, tibc 288, total iron 52. Should these concern me? Have hashimotos too
Iron deficient?: If you were taking blackstrap molasses to treat iron deficiency instead of a real iron supplement, you were misguided. The stuff is a safe, sugar-rich supplement that acquires its limited mineral content from the machinery in which it's produced. You should take a 21st century iron supplement, find the real cause of your iron deficiency, and consider upgrading to a modern thyroid tablet as well. ...Read more
16
36F Healthy. Iron Labs- Feb'17: Iron 102/ IBC: 335/ %Satur 30/ Ferritin 16 Jan'18: Iron 99/ IBC 280/ %Satur 38/ Ferritin 41. Why has IBC decreased? I read a 20dL drop in IBC over 6 months means increased mortality. Do I need to be worried?
Iron blood criteria: Since the saturation is increasing that is what matters. Iron binding capacity varies due to dieting, kidney disease, liver disease, drugs. ...Read more
17
What is the cause of low iron saturation lab results?
Poor iron intake: Usual adding an iron supplement to the diet will help, be sure to discuss the lab results with the ordering physician. ...Read more
18
My iron saturation is 8, the lab ref range is 15-55, what does this mean? My hemoglobin has been normal so far.
This is serious: Iron deficiency is already established and symptomatic before the hemoglobin drops. Many people do not realize this. In fact, this may have something to do with your generally feeling unwell. If additional labs confirm iron deficiency, tou need to find why you are iron-deficient (diet, monthly loss, loss from disease) and manage the cause and replace the iron. Stay proactive in this. ...Read more
19
I just had some labs drawn because I'm always tired. Everything looks ok except my fasting glucose (107) and my iron is 190, tibc is 389, %sat is 49.
Labs, and fatigue: Fatigue is very common and it's etiology is often times not indicated in the labs. A fasting blood sugar slightly greater than 100 is indicative of glucose intolerance which may be a precursor to diabetes. Lifestyle is probably the biggest reason for the fatigue, but if not done a TSH should be performed to rule out hypothyroidism. Regular exercise weight loss and good sleep are good choices. ...Read more
20
Recent lab work shows the following: iron 57 dl, total iron binding capacity 363 dl, iron total binding capacity 16% and ferritin 184.2ml. Pls explain?
Iron panel:
Iron panel sometimes is confusing, your panel number is one of them.
Let me ask you why your iron panel was checked?
If your lab originally showed anemia and this are supplementary test to see what is the reason for your anemia, I would say that you have very mild iron deficiency.
At your age anemia should be aggressively worked up to find the reason.
Please follow with your doctor.
...Read more
21
What do these lab results mean? Iron: 32 ug/ml, tibc: 423ug/dl iron saturation 8 % ferritin 8.50ng/ml
Pt is iron deficient: The results indicate an iron deficiency anemia. considering your age you may be having heavy periods, be a vegan and are not getting enough iron in your diet or are on a birth control pill that is not strong enough and is causing breakthrough bleeding.Please follow up with your FP or GYn ...Read more
22
If some one has ACD anemia and then doesn't get enough iron can they also get IDA? What would labs look like in that case?
Mixed: This isn't uncommon. Since the treatment of anemia of chronic diseae (anemia of inflammation) is that of the underlying disease, and since the most important thing in the management of iron deficiency is to rule out cancer or other serious disease as a cause of iron loss, suspect iron deficiency in all cases. Low serum ferritin will dominate when the two are both present. ...Read more
23
My lab results came back and it says my serum iron is 81 and my tibc is 477, there is a flag (h) indicating the tibc is high, am I anemic?
Maybe.: You need to know your hemoglobin or hematocrit, which measure red cells, to know if you are anemic. The high TIBC suggests your body thinks you are running low on iron, but that would be only the first step on the way to iron deficiency. Your red cell count could still be normal, therefore you might not be anemic yet. Ask about the other tests. ...Read more
24
Most important lab. Hct, iron serum, iron saturation or hemoglobin?
Unclear question: Serum iron and iron saturation are only indicated if hb and hct are low and iron deficiency is suspected. ...Read more
25
What do these lab results mean? Iron: 34 ug/ml, tibc: 472 ug/dl, iron saturation: 7.2%, iron 32 ug/dl and ferritin 8 ng/ml
All very: Consistent with iron deficiency.
Get a more detailed answer ›
26
Hi I recently had lab work done & my rbc is 3.25, my hemoglobin is 9.5 and my hematocrit is 30.1. My A1c is also 4.0, iron normal what could this mean
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, You are anemic and that requires investigation. What do you mean by normal iron. In menstruating women iron deficiency is the commonest cause of anemia. It would be prudent to consult your doctor to ascertain the cause of anemia and treat the cause. ...Read more
28
Quest Lab--Iron % Saturation: 17 Low, Ferritin: 13 ng/ml Low, RDW 15.1 a little high. What does this mean and what do I do about it?
Cells: RDW is the calculation of the difference in cell size. The MCV is a better indicator of the actual size of the red cells and if below 80 is considered microcytic. With iron deficiency the cells are smaller than normal. The high RDW can mean some cells are being pushed out of the marrow early and those immature forms are larger. The rest of the blood work report is needed. See provider soon. ...Read more
29
When I see lab report of my dad who took iron tablets for ida for 6 weeks, ferritin level increased much but iron level not changed! Reasons please?
Likely improving:
Serum iron fluctuates throughout the day, reflecting the iron in your blood stream. Ferritin reflects the body's iron stores, and the improvement you see means that the supplements are working.
If your father has not been screened for colon disease, please consider making him an appointment, as this is the most common cause of ida in older men.
...Read more
30
Palps/skin crawling for a year. Labs show RBC was down to 11.Started iron supps, sympts improving. I worry that my heart was enlarged. Reversible?
Doubtful: What you're describing shouldn't make your heart enlarged. To know for sure you could get an echo but it looks based on your patient information that you already did. If that didn't show increased heart size then you're done. ...Read more