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Iron Blood Work Test
An iron blood work test shows how much iron your body has stored, how much is moving in your blood, and how well your blood can carry it. If results confirm iron deficiency and iron pills have not helped, your clinician may talk with you about an iron infusion in Edmonton.
Updated September 2026
Iron Blood Test Panel
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Marker | What it measures | A low result may suggest | A high result may suggest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferritin | Iron stored in the body | Iron deficiency | Iron overload, inflammation or liver disease |
| Serum iron | Iron in the blood right now | Iron deficiency or inflammation | Iron overload or liver disease |
| TIBC or transferrin | How much iron the blood can carry | Often low or normal with inflammation | Often high with iron deficiency |
| Transferrin saturation (TSAT) | Share of transferrin carrying iron | Iron deficiency or blocked iron use | Iron overload |
| UIBC | Iron-carrying space still empty | Often low when iron is plentiful | Often high with iron deficiency |
| Hemoglobin | Oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells | Anemia | Too many red blood cells |
| MCV | Average red blood cell size | Small cells, often from iron deficiency | Large cells, from other causes |
| Reticulocyte hemoglobin (Ret-He or CHr) | Iron reaching new red blood cells | Too little iron for new cells | Not used for iron overload |
Hemoglobin and MCV come from a complete blood count (CBC). Ret-He or CHr may be reported with a reticulocyte test.[7]
Table sources: MyHealth Alberta [5], Cleveland Clinic [6], and Mayo Clinic Laboratories [7].
What Blood Test Shows Iron Deficiency?
Ferritin is the best single test. A low ferritin strongly supports iron deficiency.[1][2]
Choosing Wisely Canada advises against the full iron profile for most people. The full panel helps when infection, inflammation, kidney disease or cancer may be raising ferritin.[2]
Iron Blood Test Ferritin Results
Ferritin shows your stored iron. Alberta's 2026 adult pathway uses ferritin below 30 µg/L together with low hemoglobin to diagnose iron deficiency anemia.[1]
Inflammation can raise ferritin. During inflammation or chronic kidney disease, ferritin below 100 µg/L with TSAT below 20% may support iron deficiency anemia.[1] Our guide to ferritin levels explains WHO cut-offs by age and pregnancy.
Iron Blood Test Saturation
Transferrin saturation (TSAT) shows how much of your iron-carrying protein holds iron. It is serum iron divided by TIBC, times 100.
A low TSAT can support iron deficiency when it is read with ferritin and your health history. Alberta's adult pathway uses TSAT below 20% with ferritin below 100 µg/L for people with inflammation or chronic kidney disease. A high saturation can point to iron overload.[1][2]
Common Iron Blood Test Patterns
Clinicians read the markers together.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Pattern | Ferritin | Serum iron | TIBC | TSAT | What it may mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron deficiency | Low | Low | High | Low | Iron stores are used up |
| Inflammation or chronic disease | Normal or high | Low | Low or normal | Low | Iron is trapped and hard to use |
| Iron overload | High | High | Low or normal | High | Too much iron in the body |
| Iron deficiency with inflammation | Normal or high | Low | Varies | Low | Inflammation can hide low iron |
Table sources: Alberta Health Services [1], Choosing Wisely Canada [2], and Cleveland Clinic [6].
Iron Blood Test During Your Period
A 2025 study of 1,484 nonpregnant women aged 18 to 44 found that serum iron and saturation were lowest during menstruation. Ferritin stayed steady.[3]
Tell your clinician if your periods are heavy, a common cause of low iron.
How to Prepare for Iron Blood Work
What Happens After Your Iron Blood Work
Oral iron is often tried first.
Oral iron is often tried first. If pills fail or cause side effects, IV iron may be discussed. Your clinician should explain the treatment and follow-up bloodwork plan. High iron needs a different work-up with your family doctor.
Learn how oral iron and IV iron compare, how long an iron infusion takes, and how IV iron may affect hemoglobin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is iron on a CBC panel?
No. A CBC checks hemoglobin and red blood cell size, not iron. Ferritin is a separate test, and a normal CBC can miss low iron stores.[4][6]
How is iron listed on a blood test?
Look for Ferritin, Iron (or Fe), TIBC, UIBC and Transferrin Saturation (or Iron Saturation). Each result sits next to your lab's normal range.[5][6]
What level of iron is concerning?
Alberta's adult pathway uses ferritin below 30 µg/L with low hemoglobin to diagnose iron deficiency anemia. During inflammation or kidney disease, ferritin below 100 µg/L with TSAT below 20% may support the diagnosis. High ferritin or saturation also needs follow-up.[1][2]
Does the iron level test for blood donation check ferritin?
Not always. Canadian Blood Services checks hemoglobin at every donation. Since 2023, it has also tested ferritin in some donors registered as female.[4]
This is general health information. A clinician must review your results.
Medical Sources
- Alberta Health Services. Iron Deficiency Anemia Primary Care Clinical Pathway. Updated June 2026.
- Choosing Wisely Canada. Clinical Biochemistry recommendations, recommendation 6.
- Aguree S, Owora A, Silveyra P. Cyclical fluctuations of iron biomarkers in women: diagnostic implications for iron deficiency. Practical Laboratory Medicine. 2025.
- Canadian Blood Services. Donor wellness and iron (ferritin) testing.
- MyHealth Alberta. Iron (Fe) Test.
- Cleveland Clinic. Iron Blood Tests.
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Reticulocyte Profile, Blood.