Iron Studies is a set of blood tests that measure various parameters related to iron metabolism in the body, including serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC), transferrin, and percent saturation. These tests are used to evaluate the body’s iron stores and diagnose iron deficiency anemia or iron overload disorders. The serum iron test measures the amount of iron in the blood, while the TIBC and UIBC tests assess the capacity of transferrin, a protein that transports iron in the blood, to bind and transport iron. The transferrin test measures the amount of transferrin in the blood, while the percent saturation calculates the proportion of transferrin that is bound to iron. High TIBC and UIBC levels and low serum iron and percent saturation levels indicate iron deficiency anemia, while high serum iron and percent saturation levels and low TIBC and UIBC levels suggest iron overload disorders such as hemochromatosis. Interpretation of these tests should be done by a healthcare provider, taking into account the patient’s medical history and clinical findings.
