Diagnostic Blood Test:

• Iron
• Iron (Transferrin) Saturation %
• Total Iron-binding Capacity (TIBC)
• Unsaturated Iron-binding Capacity (UIBC)

Iron: Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Without enough iron, the body can’t make hemoglobin, leading to anemia. However, excessive levels of iron can become toxic to cells and damage organs.

Iron Saturation: Within the bloodstream, iron is attached to transferrin, a protein that helps carry iron to organs and tissues. This test measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin. It can indicate whether iron stores in the body are sufficient and whether adequate iron is being transported around the body.

TIBC: Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) measures the amount of transferrin available to bind with iron. An abnormal TIBC may point to health conditions like anemia, inflammation, nutrition deficiencies, or liver disease.

UIBC: Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) measures how much transferrin remains unattached to iron. Iron-related tests can help identify anemia, which causes tiredness, headaches, and dizziness, or iron overload, leading to joint pain, low energy levels, and abdominal pain.

For a more comprehensive look at your iron status we recommended also testing Ferritin, available here: https://marekhealth.com/product/ferritin/