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Iron Deficiency FAQ

 

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How do they test for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia?

 

iron-tests-with-your-doctorYour doctor or healthcare provider will likely take blood samples to screen for iron deficiency.

 

Unfortunately, there is not a single test that can be used alone to diagnose iron deficiency. A combination of blood tests is commonly used to identify iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia.

 

If your doctor is concerned that you may have iron deficiency, he or she will probably order the following blood tests to reveal how much iron is in your body:

 

1) Hematocrit test – Shows the percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells and hemoglobin
2) Hemoglobin test – Measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood

 

Your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels usually aren't decreased until you have iron deficiency anemia.

 

Another test your doctor might perform is the Ferritin test, which measures your iron stores. When your ferritin is low, you are very iron deficient. (Ferritinis the protein that helps store iron in the body.)