--- title: Iron Test type: biomarker url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/iron" also_known_as: - iron - iron, serum - fe category: Iron & Anemia units: - mcg/dL - ug/dL order_price_usd: 25.99 order_item: Iron & TIBC order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/iron-and-tibc" reviewed_at: 2026-09-06 --- # Iron > Iron is measured with a standard blood draw after an 8–12 hour fast. A typical reference range is 65.0 – 175 mcg/dL (male, age 18+; more bands below). At TestWell it's $25.99 all-in as Iron & TIBC, results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis. Also known as: iron, iron, serum, fe. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Units | mcg/dL / ug/dL | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | 8–12 hours | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Price | $25.99 | | Labs | Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ | ## What does Iron measure? The amount of iron circulating in your blood at the moment. Varies through the day. ## What is the normal range for Iron? | Population | Reference range | | --- | --- | | Male, age 18+ | 65.0 – 175 mcg/dL | | Female, age 18+ | 50.0 – 170 mcg/dL | Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them. ## What does a high Iron mean? Serum iron swings with meals and supplements and is high for hours after either, so an isolated high value on a non-fasting sample means little. Persistently high iron with a high transferrin saturation suggests iron overload — hereditary hemochromatosis, repeated transfusions or excessive supplementation; hemolysis, liver disease and B12 or folate deficiency can raise it too. Ferritin and saturation are needed to interpret it. ### Common causes of high Iron 1. Recent iron supplement or iron-rich meal (most common) 2. Hereditary hemochromatosis 3. Iron supplementation beyond need; transfusions 4. Hemolysis, liver disease 5. B12 or folate deficiency (iron not incorporated into red cells) ### Symptoms that go with high Iron - Usually none - Fatigue, joint pain, bronze skin in true overload ### What clinicians usually check next - Repeat fasting, no iron for 24 hours - Transferrin saturation and ferritin - HFE genetic test if saturation is persistently above 45% **My iron was high but ferritin is normal. Should I worry?** Probably a timing effect from food or a supplement. A fasting repeat with transferrin saturation settles it. ## What does a low Iron mean? Low serum iron usually means iron deficiency (with a low ferritin) or inflammation and chronic disease (with a normal or high ferritin), because inflammation locks iron away. A morning fasting sample matters — iron is lower in the afternoon and after menstruation. Ferritin, TIBC and transferrin saturation together tell the two apart. ### Common causes of low Iron 1. Iron deficiency from blood loss, low intake or malabsorption 2. Inflammation, infection or chronic disease (functional iron deficiency) 3. Afternoon draw or recent menstruation 4. Pregnancy ### Symptoms that go with low Iron - Fatigue, poor exercise tolerance, hair shedding, restless legs if deficient ### What clinicians usually check next - Ferritin and transferrin saturation - CBC and CRP - Identify the source of loss if truly deficient Follow-up tests at TestWell: [CBC (Complete Blood Count)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc) ($21.99), [C-Reactive Protein (CRP)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/crp) ($26.99). **Low iron but normal ferritin — am I iron deficient?** Not usually. That pattern points to inflammation or chronic disease holding iron in storage, or to sample timing. Ferritin is the stores marker. ## How do you get tested for Iron? | Order | Type | Price | Includes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Iron & TIBC](https://www.test-well.com/tests/iron-and-tibc) | Single test | $25.99 | This marker | | [Baseline Anemia Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/anemia-panel) | Panel | $74.99 | 5 tests | | [Women's Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/womens-health-panel) | Panel | $129.99 | 8 tests | | [Comprehensive Anemia Workup](https://www.test-well.com/tests/comprehensive-anemia-panel) | Panel | $169.99 | 8 tests | | [Essential Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/essential-health-panel) | Panel | $189.99 | 10 tests | ## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference | Lab | Available | Price | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $25.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | Labcorp | Yes | $25.99 | Choose Labcorp at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $21.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically — state rules keep Quest and Labcorp from accepting self-ordered draws. | ## Common questions about Iron ### Do I need a doctor's order to test my iron? No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor. ### How long does it take to get Iron results? Most Iron results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal. ### How much does a Iron test cost? Our Iron & TIBC starts at $25.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. ### Do I need to fast before my Iron test? Yes — for the most accurate result, fast for 8–12 hours before your blood draw. Water is fine; coffee, food, and supplements are not. Your prep instructions will be included with your order. ### Which lab will process my Iron test? Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations. ## Sources - [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8313) - [MedlinePlus (NIH) — Iron Tests](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/iron-tests/) ## Related biomarkers - [Ferritin](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/ferritin) - [TIBC](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/tibc) - [Iron Saturation](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/iron-saturation) - [Transferrin](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/transferrin) - [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup) - [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter) - [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/iron Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.