What do the results mean?
If one or more iron test results show your iron levels are too low, it may mean you have:
- Iron deficiency anemia, a common type of anemia. Anemia is a disorder in which your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells.
- Another type of anemia
- Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to make fewer than normal healthy red blood cells
If one or more iron test results show your iron levels are too high, it may mean you have:
Most conditions that cause too little or too much iron can be successfully treated with iron supplements, diet, medicines, and/or other therapies.
If your iron test results are not normal, it does not necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment. Some medicines, including birth control pills and estrogen treatments, can affect iron levels. Iron levels may also be lower for women during their menstrual cycles.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Learn more about laboratory tests, references ranges, and understanding results.
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