Iron Status Assessment
Assessment Stage: Baseline Assessment
Included in Future Health Assessment: Yes
Partner: DHM Pathology
Provider: DHM Pathology
Approximate Cost: Medicare where eligible
What is it?
Iron studies assess your body's iron stores and ability to transport iron. Iron is essential for oxygen transport, energy production, muscle function, cognitive performance and immune health.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide and may be present long before anaemia develops.
What does it measure?
Ferritin
Serum Iron
Transferrin
Transferrin Saturation
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Why is it important?
Low iron stores may contribute to:
Fatigue
Reduced exercise performance
Shortness of breath
Hair loss
Poor concentration
Restless legs syndrome
Reduced cognitive performance
Conversely, elevated iron stores may suggest hereditary haemochromatosis or other iron overload disorders.
Who may benefit?
Recommended for all adults, particularly:
Premenopausal women
Vegetarians and vegans
Endurance athletes
Patients with fatigue
Individuals with gastrointestinal disease
Older adults
What happens during the test?
A routine blood sample is collected.
Preparation
Morning collection and fasting are preferred where possible, although not essential.
Iron supplements should generally be withheld on the morning of testing unless otherwise advised.
Advantages
Detects iron deficiency before anaemia develops
Assesses iron overload
Guides supplementation
Widely validated
Limitations
Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant and may be elevated by inflammation or infection.
How Future Health uses this investigation
Iron studies are interpreted alongside:
Full Blood Count
Vitamin B12
Folate
Inflammatory markers
Nutrition assessment
Medical history
Future Health Summary
Healthy iron stores are essential for energy, cognition and physical performance. Measuring iron status allows deficiency or overload to be identified early and managed appropriately.