Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fast for 12 hours and stop biotin at least 72 hours before collection; complete testing before starting a Schilling test, transfusion, or B12 therapy, and obtain the required specimen container from the lab using your lab order.
- Turnaround: 3-5 business days. May take longer due to weather, holidays, or lab delays.
What's Included
Iron Studies
- Iron, Total: Measures the amount of iron circulating in your blood.
- Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Measures the total amount of iron that transferrin can bind.
- Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC): Reflects the portion of transferrin not yet bound to iron.
- Iron Saturation: Calculated from iron and TIBC to show your body's overall iron status.
- Ferritin: Shows how much iron is stored in your body, mainly in the liver, muscles, spleen, and bone marrow.
- Transferrin: Measures the plasma protein that binds and transports iron through the bloodstream.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential and Platelets
- White Blood Cells (WBC): The body's primary defense against infection.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC): Carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from cells.
- Hemoglobin: The protein in red cells that carries oxygen and gives blood its color.
- Hematocrit: The percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells.
- Neutrophils: The most common white blood cell, active against infection and inflammation.
- Lymphocytes: Immune cells that fight bacteria and other pathogens.
- Monocytes: Work with neutrophils to fight infection and clear damaged cells.
- Eosinophils: Respond to allergic reactions and certain infections.
- Basophils: Support early infection detection, wound healing, and allergic responses.
- Immature Granulocytes: Early stage white blood cells that can indicate active immune response.
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute): The absolute count of immature granulocytes in the blood.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): Average hemoglobin content within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): Average hemoglobin concentration percentage within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): Average size of red blood cells.
- Platelet Count: Blood particles involved in clot formation.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures variation in red blood cell size.
- Absolute Neutrophils: The number of neutrophils in your blood.
- Absolute Lymphocytes: The number of lymphocytes in your blood.
- Absolute Monocytes: The number of monocytes in your blood.
- Absolute Eosinophils: The number of eosinophils in your blood.
- Absolute Basophils: The number of basophils in your blood.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) With eGFR
- Glucose: A direct screening measure for blood sugar levels.
Kidney Profile
- BUN (Urea Nitrogen): An indicator of kidney function.
- Creatinine, Serum: An indicator of kidney function.
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio: A calculated ratio that can suggest dehydration or intestinal bleeding.
- eGFR: Estimates kidney function to help detect early kidney damage.
Liver Panel
- Protein, Total: Helps assess liver and kidney function and nutritional health.
- Albumin, Serum: A key protein for healthy liver and kidney function.
- Globulin, Total: A protein group involved in clotting and immune defense.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio: A calculated ratio that can assist in evaluating liver health.
- Bilirubin, Total: Can help detect hepatitis, sickle cell disease, anemia, or cirrhosis.
- Alkaline Phosphatase: Helps detect bone disorders and liver disease.
- AST (SGOT): An enzyme used to evaluate liver function.
- ALT (SGPT): An enzyme used to identify liver damage.
Fluids & Electrolytes
- Sodium: Supports water balance and nerve and muscle activity.
- Potassium: Helps regulate nerve and muscle function.
- Chloride: Helps maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide, Total: Used to evaluate and monitor electrolyte balance.
- Calcium: Supports bone health, muscle, nerve, and clotting function.
- Uric Acid: A waste product filtered by the kidneys, included as part of this metabolic panel.
Vitamin and Nutrient Markers
- Vitamin B12: Helps evaluate nutritional status and identify possible causes of macrocytic anemia.
- Folic Acid: Helps detect folate deficiency, often reviewed alongside B12 for anemia causes.
- Homocysteine: An amino acid linked to folic acid, B6, and B12 levels.
Additional Anemia Markers
- Hemoglobin Solubility: A qualitative test that helps detect sickling hemoglobin and hemolytic anemia.
- Reticulocytes: Measures young red blood cells as a percentage, reflecting bone marrow activity.
Stool Test
- Occult Blood, Fecal (Immunochemical): Detects hidden blood in the lower gastrointestinal tract using antihuman hemoglobin antibodies, without dietary or drug restrictions.
Benefits
- Evaluates iron levels, storage, and iron transport in one panel.
- Reviews red and white blood cell counts, along with platelets.
- Assesses kidney and liver function through a metabolic panel.
- Checks B12, folate, and homocysteine linked to anemia causes.
- Screens for hidden blood in the lower gastrointestinal tract.
- Includes reticulocyte count to reflect bone marrow response.
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals wanting a broad look at iron status and blood cell health.
- People interested in reviewing B12, folate, and homocysteine levels.
- Those wanting insight into kidney and liver function alongside anemia markers.
- Individuals curious about hidden gastrointestinal blood loss.
- People wanting to keep track of existing iron or vitamin levels.
- Anyone interested in a broad anemia-related screening panel.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
This panel combines iron studies (iron, TIBC, ferritin, and transferrin), a complete blood count, a comprehensive metabolic panel with eGFR, B12, folic acid, homocysteine, hemoglobin solubility, reticulocytes, and a fecal occult blood test. Together, these categories give you a broad view of iron status, blood cell health, organ function, and hidden gastrointestinal blood loss that may relate to anemia. This panel does not diagnose any condition on its own.
2. Who would benefit from this test?
This panel may benefit people who want a broad look at iron levels, blood cell counts, B12 and folate status, kidney and liver function, and hidden gastrointestinal bleeding. It is designed for general screening and monitoring purposes rather than diagnosing a specific condition.
3. When should I order this panel?
You may consider this panel for general screening, to monitor existing iron or vitamin levels, or as part of a broader picture of your overall health. This test does not diagnose any condition, and results should be reviewed with a healthcare provider.
4. Do I need to fast before this test?
Yes, this panel requires 12 hours of fasting. You should also stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours before your blood draw. This test should be completed before starting a Schilling test, transfusion, or B12 therapy.
5. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available within 3 to 5 days, though timing may take longer based on weather, holidays, or lab delays.
6. How do I interpret the results?
Patterns across multiple biomarkers often provide more meaningful insight than any single value on its own. Rather than focusing on one result, it helps to look at how the different markers in this panel relate to each other. Always discuss your results with a healthcare provider who can help interpret them in the context of your health history.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
7. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
If any of your results fall outside the expected range, share them with your healthcare provider. They can help determine whether further testing or follow-up is appropriate based on your individual health history.
8. How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual health history and goals. Follow-up testing should be done as directed by your healthcare provider.
9. Why early detection matters
Reviewing iron levels, blood cell counts, vitamin status, and hidden gastrointestinal blood loss together may support earlier awareness of changes in your health. Ongoing monitoring, combined with guidance from your healthcare provider, can help you stay informed about your overall wellbeing over time.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for 12 hours is required before your blood draw. Stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to collection. This test should be completed before a Schilling test, transfusion, or B12 therapy is started. You must take your lab order to the lab to obtain a proper specimen container before collection.
