Vitamins & Nutrients
Serum Iron
Vitamins & Nutrients
Measures circulating iron. Used alongside ferritin for complete iron status assessment.
VAT-exempt medical service
Iron is an essential nutrient required for healthy red blood cell production and oxygen transport. A serum iron test measures the concentration of iron currently circulating in your bloodstream and is used alongside ferritin, transferrin and transferrin saturation to build a complete picture of your iron status. Both iron deficiency and iron excess can cause significant health problems, making this test a key part of preventive health screening.
A serum iron test is recommended if your diet is low in iron, meat or seafood, if you have symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, rapid heart rate or insomnia, or if you have a personal or family history of anaemia or haemochromatosis. Heavy menstrual periods, pregnancy and athletic activity increase the risk of iron imbalance. Certain medications, including corticosteroids and antacids, can also affect iron levels.
What a high value can mean
The most common cause of high serum iron is hereditary haemochromatosis. Other causes include excessive iron supplementation, multiple blood transfusions, viral infections, liver disease and kidney disease. Symptoms may include fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, irregular heart rhythm, skin colour changes and, in severe cases, organ damage.
What a low value can mean
Low serum iron is most commonly caused by iron deficiency anaemia, especially when paired with high transferrin and low transferrin saturation. Underlying causes include low dietary intake, low stomach acid, malabsorption, microscopic gastrointestinal bleeding and chronic disease. Symptoms include fatigue, pallor, dizziness and shortness of breath.
Avoid iron supplements for 24 hours before the test. Take the test before 10 am, as iron levels fluctuate throughout the day. Note the day of your menstrual cycle if applicable. Bring valid ID.
Order your test
Choose your test and pay online. Your lab referral is created straight away.
Give your sample
Visit any of our partner sampling locations. No appointment needed at most of them.
The lab analyses it
Your sample is analysed at an accredited Swedish laboratory.
Get your results
Your values appear in your account with reference ranges and an explanation of each marker.
Iron levels in the blood follow a circadian rhythm and are highest in the morning. Testing before 10 am provides the most consistent and comparable results.
Serum iron measures iron currently circulating in the blood, while ferritin measures your body's stored iron reserves. Both are needed for a complete assessment of iron status.
No. Serum iron should always be evaluated alongside ferritin, transferrin and transferrin saturation for an accurate clinical picture.