Test Name: Iron, Blood
Specimen Type: Serum
Specimen Required: 3-5 Cc Yellow Top Gel Vial
Day Performed: Daily
Reporting Time: 8 Hours STAT Reporting Time: 120 MINUTES
Methodology: Beckman Coulter AU480
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Higher-than-normal iron level may be a sign of:
- Too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis)
- Anemia due to red blood cells being destroyed too quickly (hemolytic anemia)
- Liver tissue damage
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- Iron poisoning
- Frequent blood transfusions
Lower-than-normal level may be a sign of:
- Long-term digestive tract bleeding
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Intestinal conditions that cause poor absorption of iron
- Not enough iron in the diet
- Pregnancy
References:
- Brittenham GM. Disorders of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency and overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018: chap 36.