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Overview

Iron Deficiency Profile Test

Iron Deficiency Profile Test

An iron profile composed of a set of lab assay evaluates the level of iron in blood and Transferrin. The profile also estimates the iron binding capacity of cells. It is used to detect anemia. There are different types of anemia and the iron profile is the best tool to detect a deficiency of iron. Having too much iron in blood makes a condition known as iron overload which is equally harmful. The normal hemoglobin range for men is 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter while the range for a woman is 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL. The doctor may advise iron test if he suspects iron poisoning.

However, iron profile screening is a serological blood test. You are advised fasting for at least 8-14 hours before giving the sample. It would be advisable to save a specimen in the early morning. Wear a loose sleeve dress so it can be rolled up for ease of taking blood. If you are on any medication, inform the doctor. In fact, the doctor wants you to stop certain drugs. These medicines may influence the iron levels in the blood. Eating and drinking do not need changing. Take the food as you are having regularly.

Total iron deficiency profile reveals both the iron deficiency and iron overload in the levels. The test is used to analyze the severity of the Anemic condition. The test is used in combination with other investigations evaluate heart disorders. The paler tone of the skin somewhat indicates iron deficiency. In addition, the test affirms dark circles, fatigue, and headache as the part of iron deficiency condition. The test reflects iron overload in case of heart and liver damage. Low TIBC in the report may mean the protein that carries iron in your body is deficient. Iron deficiency profile showing low ferritin levels depicts the low iron levels.

The lab technician fastens a rubber lash on your arm, some inches above the elbow. Clean the point in the elbow pit where the needle has to be inserted. A sterilized needle pricked in the vein suck blood with the pull of syringe piston. The blood is transferred to serum separator tube. It is then cooled and centrifuged. The serum is tested and a thin smear is prepared on the glass slide. The slide is observed under the microscope.

Specimen
Serum (preferred) or plasma (lithium heparin only). EDTA plasma causes decreased results.
Volume
1 mL
Container
Gel-barrier tube, transport tube, or green-top (heparin) tube; do not use EDTA or oxalate anticoagulants..
Type Gender Age-Group Value
Serum Iron
Male
All age groups
65 - 176 microgram/dl
Serum Iron
Female
All age groups
50 - 170 microgram/dl
Ferritin
Male
All age groups
24 - 336ng/ml
Ferritin
Female
All age groups
11 - 307 ng/ml
TIBC
Unisex
All age groups
240 - 450 mcg/dl
Transferrin Saturation
Unisex
All age groups
20 - 50%
Average price range of the test is between Rs.2000 to Rs.2000 depending on the factors of city, quality and availablity.

Table of Content

What is Iron Deficiency Profile Test?
Preparation for Iron Deficiency Profile Test
Uses of Iron Deficiency Profile Test
Procedure for Iron Deficiency Profile Test
Specimen Requirements
Normal values for Iron Deficiency Profile Test
Price for Iron Deficiency Profile Test
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Popular Questions & Answers

My wife's health is low and weight is also low. She is 26 years old. I want that my wife should be in good shape. Please advise me sir.

BHMS
Homeopath, Secunderabad
My wife's health is low and weight is also low. She is 26 years old. I want that my wife should be in good shape. Ple...
See​ that she eats a balanced diet. She should also go for a routine medical check up just to ensure that there is no any health problem that remain undetected. Some basic tests are: CBC, ESR, blood sugar, thyroid test, urine routine, liver profile etc. She should also focus on exercising everyday. Add Yoga and pranayam which can naturally empower the healing system in the body. A healthy lifestyle can make a lot of difference in the long run. Please revert with the reports for further clarification. She can also start Homeopathy to help gain good appetite and thereby healthy​ weight. You can contact me online also.
1 person found this helpful

I have a desk job and there is a pain at my back which was started from my neck to above hip and after sometimes I get relief .what's this?

Master of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapist, Noida
I have a desk job and there is a pain at my back which was started from my neck to above hip and after sometimes I ge...
Hello lybrate-user, the reason is very much obvious that there is constant pressure over your spine and other joints because of work profile. Take time to rest for sometime, take a walk, stretching h your upper and lower body, do exercises at home regularly, maintain posture which is very much important.

Popular Health Tips

How Supplements Are Beneficial To Improve Your Sexual Life?

B.A.M.S., M.D.(A.M), EX-M.R.C.G.P., EX-M.R.S.H., EX-M.S.I.E.C.U.S, EX-M.S.S.S.S.
Sexologist, Mumbai
How Supplements Are Beneficial To Improve Your Sexual Life?

Supplements are just a way to add vital nutrients in your daily nutritional intake, but are not the only solution. First of all, it is important to note that your sex life does not depend on supplements. Various other factors can both positively and negatively affect your sex life. Exercise, weight and medications you take can have both adverse and positive effects. Try to improve your sex life by altering these aspects before you use supplements. Nevertheless, here are some supplements which may be beneficial for your sex life.

  1. Iron: Iron is used to boost the libido of women. The libido comprises the arousal, desire as well as the ability to have an orgasm. However, too much iron is not good for you. Over 20 mg can cause stomach problems and constipation while over 60 mg is life threatening.
  2. Niacin: There are two types of cholesterol in your body. One is a good cholesterol, while the other is a bad cholesterol. Niacin is a type of B vitamin, which raises your good cholesterol level. Men who have high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction tend to see improvements in their symptoms by taking 1500 mg of niacin for 12 weeks.
  3. Yohimbine: This is a type of herbal supplement only used for men. It is used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be used on men. However, it is worth note that high blood pressure, heart palpitations, anxiety, headaches and dizziness are all caused by yohimbine. Therefore, it should be used with care only when the doctor prescribes it.
  4. Panax ginseng: This is one of those rare drugs, which raises sexual desire in women and also corrects erectile dysfunction in men. It is worth mentioning that Panax ginseng also causes insomnia. Insomnia is one of the side effects of this medication along with diarrhea and painful periods for women. 
  5. Maca: This is a type of Peruvian root vegetable. It primarily helps women who are taking antidepressants and have lost their sex drive as a result. It can also be tried safely as it is a type of food as well and therefore, it is not as dangerous as some of the other supplements on this list. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Sexologist.
5465 people found this helpful

Myths And Facts About Diabetes!

MBBS, CCEBDM, Diploma in Diabetology, Diploma in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Cetificate Course In Thyroid Disorders Management (CCMTD)
Endocrinologist, Dharwad
Myths And Facts About Diabetes!

 1) Diabetes is curable :

Diabetes is  mainly due deficiency of Insulin (hormone produced by Beta cells of pancreas), plus resistance to action of insulin, overweightor obesity  and inactivity. Therefore, to treat diabetes we need drugs that initiate insulin secretion, reduce insulin resistance. In some cases  insulin itself. Plus dietary control and regular exercise to maintain normal weight or reduce excess weight. Hence it can only be effectively controlled. Cure is not possible.

2) Eating Sugar or Sweets causes Diabetes :

It is incorrect to say that eating sweets and / or sugar causes diabetes. Basically excess food intake will lead to excess production of glucose. That puts excess load on insulin producing cells in pancreas due glucotoxicity. Also due to central obesity  the fat around internal organs causes lipotoxicity affecting the beta cells. Therefore, excess food intake in general and weight gain  are the reasons for diabetes.

3) Jaggery is better or safe in diabetes :

Jaggery and sugar both are essentially same. Both contain sucrose, as they are prepared from sugar cane juice. Hence eating either of these will increase blood glucose considerably. In jaggery there are some vitamins and a few antioxidants. But both are bad for a diabetic person.

4) Rice should not be eaten in diabetes :

Not really true. Because in south India this is the major or at times only main food. Rice has a high glycemic index so gets converted to glucose rapidly. So polished rice is not good. Brown rice is better. Quantity should be regulated. All other cereals  also are converted  glucose after digestion. 

5)Allopathic Medications Damage Kidneys, so go for either Ayurvedic or Homeopathic Drugs :

In fact diabetes itself affects kidney, particularly the filtering membrane of glomerulurous  (a filtering unit in the kidney).   Even when diabetes fairly well controlled, kidney does get affected. The drugs used to treat diabetes  help in overcoming kidney damage. Therefore it is wrong to think that modern drugs cause kidney damage. In fact some of the other drugs contain heavy metals (Bhasmas), which can be harmful to the kidney.

6) Sugar intake is essential for body :

Some people keep asking that eating sugar is very necessary for getting energy for the body tissues. This is not at all true.  Because all the cereals like rice, jowar, wheat, ragi, bajra and other millets, contain starch as the main ingredient. Hence intake of each of these foods  provides glucose after digestion. So there is no separate need for taking sugar.

Few things to be remembered and practiced are :

  • Always use whole grain flour, as it contains a good amount of biber content for making chapati or roti.
  • Consume more of green leafy vegetables and salads with every meal.
  • Consider fruits and green leafy vegetables as part of regular snacks
  • Take small meals on more number of occasion to avoid glucose surge.
  • Avoid Maida and foods made from it. It is probably worst kind of food that one can consume.
  • Form healthy food habits.
5 people found this helpful

Liver Problems - How they Can be Treated with Homeopathic Remedies?

BHMS
Homeopathy Doctor, Faridabad

Liver is a very important organ of your body. It is also the largest internal organ. Liver plays a pivotal role in food digestion, iron metabolism, regulation of blood clotting and removal of toxins from your body. Liver problems refer to the disruption of liver functions. There are various liver problems and diseases that you may encounter. Some of the liver problems are as follows:

  1. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
  2. Liver cirrhosis.
  3. Fatty liver
  4. Liver cancer
  5. Wilson disease
  6. Jaundice

The most common causes of the above mentioned liver problems are

  1. Fatty liver is generally caused due to obesity
  2. Hepatitis A, B, C is caused due to viral infections
  3. Consuming excess alcohol can cause liver cancer
  4. Liver diseases like Wilson disease is caused due to genetic problems

Different liver problems have different symptoms. But there are some common symptoms for all liver diseases. The most common symptoms are mentioned below

  1. Body fatigue
  2. Pain in the abdomen
  3. Change in urine and stool color
  4. Nausea
  5. Queasiness
  6. Loss of weight and appetite
  7. Yellowish discoloration of skin, eyes and nails.

Homeopathy can treat liver problems very effectively. The following are some of the solutions offered by homeopathy for different liver problems
1. If you are suffering from the problem of fatty liver, your doctor may recommend you medicines like Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Nux vomica
2. If you suffer from the problem of liver enlargement then your doctor may recommend you medicines like Carduus Marianus
3. Chionanthus and Taraxacum are medicines advised for liver problems like jaundice
4. Natrum sulphuricum may be recommended to you if you are suffering from problems like Liver cirrhosis
Homeopathic treatment for liver problems is very effective since it treats the medical condition according to specific symptoms. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Homeopath.

2 people found this helpful

5 Ways To Treat testosterone deficiency!

Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), Master of Hospital Administration, PG (Yoga Therapy)
Sexologist, Bhubaneswar
5 Ways To Treat testosterone deficiency!

Testosterone is a hormone, which grows the most effective at the time of your puberty. This is the main substance, which helps you to grow your chest hair, then helps to deepen your voice, boosts the growth of your penis and helps to build up your muscle.

After a certain point of age, most of the men start experiencing a decline in testosterone. If you are not being sexually aroused then the lack of testosterone can be one reason. A large number of men erroneously believe that their lack of sex drive is accompanied by their old age.

Some possible causes for testosterone deficiency may include:

  • Infection, injury or problems in the testicles.

  • Chemotherapy or radiation to cure cancer.

  • Genetic abnormalities.

  • Dysfunction in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

  • Inflammatory disease in the lungs or heart.

  • Certain effects of medication.

  • Alcoholism.

  • Abnormal obesity.

The testosterone deficiency can lead a man to a plethora of different sexual problems. The production of hormone is connected to your brain and inadequate testosterone can cause many problems, which may include:

  1. Loss of sex drive.

  2. Feeling ill and low on confidence.

  3. Difficulty concentrating.

  4. Muscle mass decrease.

  5. Decreased haemoglobin and anaemia.

  6. Fragile bones.

  7. Loss of body hair.

The proper way to detect testosterone deficiency problem is to measure the level of testosterone in your blood.

Some treatments of testosterone deficiency may include:

  1. Injecting intramuscular medicine can help you achieve higher levels of testosterone. This can be given anywhere on your muscle with a gap of two to 10 weeks.

  2. Application of testosterone gel especially inside your nose can lower the problem.

  3. Application of muco-adhesive material on your gum two times a day.

  4. Applying subcutaneous pellet.

  5. Application of testosterone stick, you should apply it on your underarms like a deodorant.

The treatments for testosterone deficiency come with many disadvantages too. As such, consult a doctor before indulging yourself into any kind of treatment. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Sexologist.

3099 people found this helpful