Comprehensive Iron Panel (Ultimate Iron)

Test description

The Comprehensive Iron Panel goes far beyond a single serum iron measurement. It assesses both circulating iron and tissue reserves, as well as the body's ability to transport this element, allowing for the detection of deficiency at a latent stage – before anaemia becomes apparent in a complete blood count. A key component of the panel is ferritin, an iron-storing protein and the most sensitive indicator of its reserves. Low ferritin, even with still normal haemoglobin, can explain fatigue, hair loss, palpitations, cold hands and feet, and restless legs syndrome. Iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation indicators differentiate deficiency due to insufficient intake from anaemia of chronic disease, while high values may indicate iron overload. The panel is particularly recommended for women with heavy menstrual bleeding, individuals on a plant-based diet, blood donors, endurance athletes, and anyone for whom iron supplementation has not shown improvement. A full picture of iron metabolism allows for the selection of the correct preparation, dosage, and duration of therapy, and then objectively verifies its effectiveness.

Biomarkers measured