Iron (Serum Iron)
A mineral essential for oxygen transport and energy production. Measured to assess iron status alongside ferritin and TIBC.
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What is Serum Iron?
Serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in your blood, bound to the transport protein transferrin. Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
Serum iron alone can be misleading because it fluctuates throughout the day and with recent meals. It's best interpreted alongside ferritin and TIBC.
Normal Ranges
| Group | Serum Iron |
|---|---|
| Adult men | 65–175 µg/dL |
| Adult women | 50–170 µg/dL |
Why It Matters
Iron Deficiency Assessment
Low serum iron, combined with low ferritin and high TIBC, confirms iron deficiency — the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide.
Iron Overload Detection
High serum iron with high ferritin may indicate hemochromatosis or iron overload from other causes.
Factors Affecting Serum Iron
- Time of day — Highest in the morning
- Recent meals — Iron-rich meals temporarily raise levels
- Inflammation — Lowers serum iron even when stores are adequate
- Menstruation — Lowers iron in women
Iron Panel Interpretation
| Condition | Serum Iron | Ferritin | TIBC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron deficiency | Low | Low | High |
| Chronic disease | Low | Normal/High | Low |
| Iron overload | High | High | Low |