Current promotion
Iron Deficiency Blood Test: Ferritin, TIBC & Transferrin
See how your body stores, transports, and uses iron, the numbers behind a common cause of low energy.
Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission when you purchase lab tests through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Panels from $43.96 with the current 20% promotion (regularly from $54.95); promotional pricing at time of writing.
At a glance
An iron deficiency blood test measures serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin, and ferritin, the markers that show how much iron your body has available, how it is transported, and how much is held in storage. It is designed for adults who suspect low iron may be behind their fatigue and want objective numbers to review with a doctor. These iron studies are bundled with a complete blood count, and higher tiers add B12, folate, and reticulocyte count.
Best suited for
- Adults with ongoing fatigue or weakness who want to check iron availability and storage
- Menstruating women, frequent blood donors, and endurance athletes at higher risk of depleted iron stores
- People following plant-based diets who want visibility into iron, B12, and folate status
- Anyone whose doctor has suggested monitoring ferritin or hemoglobin over time
What's included
Anemia Diagnostic Profile, Basic
4 tests covering 38 biomarkers
Anemia Health - Basic
CBC with differential and platelets, iron and TIBC, and transferrin (3 tests, 37 biomarkers)
Anemia Health - Basic Plus
Adds C-reactive protein, a comprehensive metabolic panel, and ferritin (6 tests, 60 biomarkers)
Anemia Health - Advanced
Adds folate, reticulocyte count, and a sickle cell screen (9 tests, 64 biomarkers)
Anemia Health - Comprehensive
Adds erythropoietin, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and fecal globin by immunochemistry (13 tests, 68 biomarkers)
Key biomarker ranges
Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.
Commonly used reference ranges differ by sex, roughly 30–200 ng/mL is typical, with men’s upper bounds higher; inflammation can raise ferritin and mask low iron.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Low | 0–30 ng/mL |
| Typical range | 30–200 ng/mL |
| Elevated | 200–400 ng/mL |
For eGFR, lower is worse: 90+ is consistent with full kidney function, while sustained values below 60 are the commonly used threshold of concern.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Kidney failure range | 0–15 mL/min/1.73m² |
| Reduced | 15–60 mL/min/1.73m² |
| Mildly reduced | 60–90 mL/min/1.73m² |
| Optimal | 90–120 mL/min/1.73m² |
Commonly used cutoffs place ALT below roughly 30–40 U/L, with slightly lower thresholds often cited for women; recent exercise and alcohol can raise results.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–30 U/L |
| Borderline high | 30–50 U/L |
| High | 50–100 U/L |
The importance of testing
Iron status is not one number. Serum iron shows what is circulating right now, transferrin and TIBC show your blood's capacity to transport it, and ferritin reflects the iron actually held in storage, often the first marker to drift low before red blood cell counts change. Reading these together, alongside a complete blood count with hemoglobin and hematocrit, gives a far more complete picture than any single test.
Low iron is one of the most common factors associated with anemia, and the fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and cold hands and feet that can come with it. But iron markers can also shift for other reasons, inflammation, for example, can raise ferritin even when usable iron is low, which is why the mid-tier panel pairs iron studies with C-reactive protein and a comprehensive metabolic panel for context.
These are markers worth tracking over time. If your doctor recommends dietary changes or iron supplementation, repeat testing shows whether ferritin and hemoglobin are actually trending upward. Bring flagged results to your physician rather than acting on them alone, dosing and interpretation depend on your history, and iron should never be supplemented blindly.
Promo code
ULTAA857Save 20% with code ULTAA857, current promotion; confirm final pricing on the partner page.
Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
Which blood tests check for iron deficiency?
The core iron studies are serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin, and ferritin, usually run alongside a complete blood count with hemoglobin and hematocrit. Together they show circulating iron, transport capacity, storage levels, and whether red blood cell production is being affected, the pattern your doctor uses to assess iron status.
What is the difference between ferritin and serum iron?
Ferritin reflects the iron your body has in storage, while serum iron measures what is circulating in your blood at the moment of the draw. Ferritin is often the first marker to fall when stores are being depleted, which is why it appears in the Basic Plus tier and above; serum iron alone can fluctuate day to day and is best read alongside TIBC and transferrin.
Can I order iron testing without a doctor's visit?
Yes, these panels can be ordered online directly from the partner lab without a physician appointment. After checkout you visit a local draw location for the blood collection, and results come back to you to share with your own doctor for interpretation.
Is iron testing available in every US state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. Most other US residents can order online and use a nearby draw location.
Do these tests confirm iron-deficiency anemia?
No, they measure markers associated with iron status and anemia, but only a licensed clinician can make that determination. Results are a structured starting point for a conversation with your doctor, who can interpret them against your symptoms and history and decide whether therapy or further testing is warranted.
Related lab test panels
Micronutrient Blood Test Panels: Vitamins, Minerals & Antioxidants
Lab panels that quantify the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body runs on, plus heavy-metal exposure.
View panelVitamin & Mineral Blood Tests: Check Your Micronutrient Levels
Nine tiered lab panels that measure the vitamins and minerals your body runs on, from a basic iron and magnesium screen to a full micronutrient workup.
View panelChronic Fatigue Blood Test Panels: Basic to Comprehensive
Four tiered lab panels that screen the hormonal, nutritional, and metabolic markers most often associated with persistent fatigue.
View panel