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Iron

About This Test

Department: Biochemistry

Requirement:

  • Gel/clotted (yellow/red top)

Add-on requests are accepted

 

Turnaround Time:

Within 24 hours

Background:

Investigation of iron-deficiency anaemia, haemochromatosis or iron poisoning

Serum ferritin is the most reliable marker of body iron stores.

Requests for serum iron alone are of little value for assessment of iron status. Levels fluctuate widely throughout the day, and from one day to another, and are often low in infection and inflammation.

Samples will not be analysed if previous analysis performed within previous month. If there is a specific clinical reason for analysis within this timeframe, please state this on the request card

Reference ranges:

Age range Reference range (umol/L)
All ages Females 10 - 25
  Males 13 - 32

Derived from Siemens Instructions for Use - June 2015

Results outside the reference range do not necessarily indicate disease. Similarly, results within the reference range do not preclude abnormality. Please contact the Duty Biochemist for discussion of individual patient results.

Other Comments:

For more information, please see the following: Iron - Lab Tests Online