Fasting iron – serum

Iron test

The test is performed from a blood sample in order to determine the concentration of fasting serum iron. Iron plays a vital role in the human body. It is responsible for proper functioning of the respiratory, circulatory, immune and nervous systems.

Serum iron

Iron is one of the key minerals. It is responsible, amongst others, for proper functioning of the circulatory and respiratory systems. Iron is a component of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen to all tissues in the body. It plays an important role in the nervous system, where it affects cognitive functions and influences the body’s performance during physical exercise.
The concentration levels of this element depend on the sex. In women, it is usually lower than in men (which is related to a different physiology). In the case of women, iron concentration decreases with age and during menstruation. The demand for this element is also higher during pregnancy.

The best sources of easily absorbable iron include meat and meat products, offal, poultry, fish and eggs. It is also worth consuming plant-based sources of iron, such as wholegrain cereal products, nuts, seeds and grains, dried fruit, dry seeds from legumes, as well as certain vegetables (including beetroot and chard, broccoli, green peas, spinach, and parsley) and fruit (e.g. currants, avocado, and raspberries).

Symptoms of iron deficiency

Iron deficiency is manifested as:

• fatigue, weakening,
• reduced concentration,
• pale complexion,
• hair fragility and hair loss,
• dry skin,
• characteristic longitudinal bands on the nail plate,
• dizziness and headaches,
• palpitations,
• smoothing of and burning on the tongue’s surface.

Iron deficiency results in the so-called iron deficiency anaemia.
Iron deficiency during pregnancy may lead to premature delivery and low birthweight of the baby.
 

Who runs a particular risk of iron deficiency?

• vegetarians and vegans,
• individuals on an imbalanced diet,
• individuals practicing sports,
• pregnant women,
• women with profuse menstrual bleeding,
• women with short intervals between their pregnancies,
• individuals with diseases characterised by impaired iron absorption,
• children with PICA, i.e. pervert appetite (an eating disorder),
• individuals with increased blood loss, e.g. following surgical procedures,
• children born prematurely or from multiple pregnancies.

Iron excess

Excessive blood iron levels are toxic to the body. Overdosing oral iron supplements leads to gastrointestinal problems (including nausea, flatulence, diarrhoea, vomiting). Iron excess may occur in the course of blood diseases and chronic conditions of the liver, as well as after blood transfusion.

Excessive iron levels may also be caused by the genetic disease known as haemochromatosis, which involves increased absorption of iron from food and its accumulation in the body tissues, mainly the liver and the heart.

Iron – preparation for the test

• The test involves the collection of blood into an EDTA test tube, the disinfection of skin according to the standard procedure of blood collection, putting on a tourniquet and applying pressure at the collection site following the procedure, and lasts a few minutes.
• The blood collection procedure takes approximately a dozen or so seconds.
• In the event of improper preparation for the blood test, the results will not be fully reliable.
• Blood should be collected in the morning.

Required preparation a few days before the test:

• Do not drink alcohol for 2-3 days before the test.
• Refrain from drinking coffee and tea for at least 12 hours before blood collection.
• If possible, eliminate any sources of stress.

On the day of the test:

• Patients should be on an empty stomach, which means that no meals can be consumed for about 12 hours before the test.
• They are allowed to drink a small amount of water in the morning hours, but not more than a glass.
• Where possible, the test should be performed before patients take their morning dose of medicines, unless their physician instructs otherwise.
• Before the test, patients should remain at rest for 10 – 15 minutes (in a sitting position).
• Physical exercise, including even moderate effort, such as walking or climbing stairs, may alter the values of laboratory tests. It is necessary to rest in a sitting position for 10-15 minutes.

Iron results

• Test results are available within 3 working days.
• It is possible to collect them at the reception desk of any Medicover Centre.
• The results can be accessed online. To do this, you have to visit the reception desk to generate a password in the centre of your choice.