QuestionI'm 60 yr. old male and usually get lab tests through an online co. that uses labcorp because it's cheaper. I want to see if I'm low in iron, possibly causing anemia, but don't know which test to get. One is a "Ferritin Serum" test described as "considered to be the most specific for identifying iron deficiency anemia, unless infection or inflammation are present.? But the "Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) test, also known as iron profile" says it's used "for testing differential diagnosis of anemia"
Which one is usually used to test for iron deficiency as it relates to anemia? Thanks
Answerfirst of all, you need a regular CBC specifically the Hb and HCT to tell whether you are anemic.... if these are ok, no further testing needed. If those are low, then the TIBC/serum iron is probably the most easily interpreted but the ferritin is also accurate, but can be spurious from several factors...... but the CBC, if normal, requires no further testing.
