Anemia Blood Testing
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Iron, Serum (Quest Diagnostics)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
A significant deviation from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Iron, Serum w/ TIBC (Quest Diagnostics)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
A significant deviation from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Iron Binding Capacity,
% Saturation (calculated)
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Anemia Profile (Basic) (Quest Diagnostics)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
A significant deviation from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Iron, Serum w/ TIBC: Total Iron, Iron Binding Capacity, % Saturation (calculated)
Reticulocyte count
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Iron, Comprehensive Panel (Quest Diagnostics)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Significant deviations from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Iron, Serum w/ TIBC: Total Iron, Iron Binding Capacity, % Saturation (calculated)
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Iron Deficiency Anemia Profile (Quest Diagnostics)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Significant deviations from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Ferritin, Serum
Iron, Serum w/ TIBC: Total Iron, Iron Binding Capacity, % Saturation (calculated)
Reticulocyte count
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Anemia Profile (Advanced) (Quest Diagnostics)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
A significant deviation from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Ferritin, Serum
Folate (Folic Acid)
Iron, Serum w/ TIBC: Total Iron, Iron Binding Capacity, % Saturation (calculated)
Reticulocyte Count
Vitamin B12
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Anemia Profile (Advanced) with CMP (Quest Diagnostics)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
A significant deviation from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile ( includes eGFR ): Albumin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated), Alkaline Phosphatase, ALT, AST, BUN/Creatinine Ratio (calculated), Calcium, Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, Creatinine with GFR Estimated, Globulin (calculated), Glucose, Potassium, Sodium, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Urea Nitrogen
Ferritin, Serum
Folate (Folic Acid)
Iron, Serum w/ TIBC: Total Iron, Iron Binding Capacity, % Saturation (calculated)
Reticulocyte Count
Vitamin B12
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Iron, Serum (LabCorp)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 1 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Iron, Serum w/ TIBC (LabCorp)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 1 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Anemia Profile (Basic) (LabCorp)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Iron, Serum w/TIBC: Percent of saturation; serum iron; total iron binding capacity; unsaturated iron binding capacity
Reticulocyte count
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Iron, Comprehensive Panel (LabCorp)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Significant deviations from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Ferritin
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Iron Deficiency Anemia Profile (LabCorp)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Significant deviations from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Iron, Serum w/TIBC: Percent of saturation; serum iron; total iron binding capacity; unsaturated iron binding capacity
Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential: (Hematocrit; hemoglobin; mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH); mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); red cell distribution width (RDW); percentage and absolute differential counts; platelet count; red cell count; white blood cell count; immature granulocytes)
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Anemia Profile (Advanced) (LabCorp)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
A significant deviation from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Iron, Serum w/TIBC: Percent of saturation; serum iron; total iron binding capacity; unsaturated iron binding capacity
Reticulocyte count
Ferritin, serum
Folic acid, serum
Vitamin B12, serum
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Anemia Profile (Advanced) with CMP (LabCorp)
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
A significant deviation from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (CMP) (includes eGFR): (A:G ratio; albumin, serum; alkaline phosphatase, serum; ALT (SGPT); AST (SGOT); bilirubin, total; BUN; BUN:creatinine ratio; calcium, serum; carbon dioxide, total; chloride, serum; creatinine, serum; globulin, total; glucose, serum; potassium, serum; protein, total, serum; sodium, serum.)
Iron, Serum w/TIBC: Percent of saturation; serum iron; total iron binding capacity; unsaturated iron binding capacity
Reticulocyte count
Ferritin, serum
Folic acid, serum
Vitamin B12, serum
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
What is Anemia?
Anemia is a blood disorder that is defined as:
- having fewer red blood cells than normal, or
- having less hemoglobin than normal (hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen)
- iron deficiency anemia
- hemolytic anemia
- vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia
- folic acid deficiency anemia
- anemia caused by inherited abnormalities of RBCs (for example, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia)
- anemia caused by chronic (ongoing) disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis
How Do the Different Forms of Anemia Occur?
Iron deficiency anemia:
This most common form of anemia results from not having enough iron in the blood. Iron is the main component of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency anemia may be caused by a lack of iron in the diet or a loss of blood. Pregnant women may have this form of anemia because the baby uses the mother's iron to make red blood cells and to grow. Women lose blood during their menstrual periods and from repeated pregnancies. Another cause of blood loss may be internal bleeding in the stomach (as with ulcers) or in the intestine (as with colon cancer).
Hemolytic anemia:
This kind of anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed or damaged by infection, drugs, or inherited conditions.
Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) deficiency anemia:
This type of anemia results when the stomach or intestines have trouble absorbing vitamin B-12. For example, an immune system disorder called pernicious anemia prevents normal absorption of the vitamin by the intestinal tract. Stomach or intestinal illness, some medicines, and some inherited disorders may also cause vitamin B-12 deficiency. Some vegetarians may not get enough vitamin B-12 from the foods they eat. Besides causing anemia, a lack of vitamin B-12 affects the nervous system and may cause symptoms of numbness, tingling, balance problems, depression, or memory problems.
Folic acid deficiency anemia:
Anemia due to a lack of folic acid in the diet is similar to B-12 deficiency anemia, but there is no damage to specific nerves. However, it can cause depression. Not having enough folic acid in the diet can also cause birth defects. This anemia is common in:
- pregnant women
- people whose intestines have problems absorbing nutrients from food
- people using some daily medicines, such as phenytoin, sulfasalazine, and possibly birth control pills
- alcoholics, who often suffer from malnutrition
Anemia caused by inherited problems with red blood cells:
The most common types of inherited problems that cause anemia because the red blood cells are abnormal are sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease that causes abnormal, sickle-shaped red blood cells. Sickle cell disease is most prevalent among people who are African, African American, Mediterranean (Italian or Greek), Middle Eastern, East Indian, Caribbean, and Central or South American. The abnormal RBCs are damaged or destroyed as they pass through the circulatory system. The anemia causes many symptoms. It can cause a condition called sickle cell crisis. The crisis may occur under certain conditions such as altitude or pressure changes, low oxygen, or some illnesses. In sickle cell crisis the RBCs become even more deformed and block tiny blood vessels, causing severe, prolonged pain and other complications. Thalassemias are a group of inherited anemias caused by abnormal hemoglobin. The abnormal hemoglobin may cause abnormal red blood cells as well as low hemoglobin levels. Thalassemias most commonly affect people of Mediterranean descent, but some types also affect peoples of Africa, Asia, India, and the South Pacific. Most forms of thalassemia are mild, but some forms cause life-threatening disease in children.
Anemia caused by disease:
Some of the ongoing (chronic) diseases that may cause anemia are:
- cancer
- rheumatoid arthritis
- ongoing infections
- kidney disease
What are the Symptoms of Anemia?
Mild anemia usually does not produce symptoms. More severe anemia is associated with:
- weakness
- fatigue
- skin, gums, and nail beds that are pale
- lightheadedness, especially when you change positions, for example, when you stand up
- fast heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- fainting
- chest pain
How is Anemia Diagnosed?
Your health care provider will carefully review your symptoms and examine you. You will have a complete blood count (CBC) to confirm anemia and to see how severe it is. You may need other blood tests to determine the type of anemia.How is Anemia Treated?
The treatment depends on the type of anemia you have. You will have follow-up visits with your health care provider to check your blood count and the effect of your treatment.Iron deficiency anemia:
To treat iron deficiency anemia (if there is no underlying disease causing blood loss), your health care provider will simply prescribe iron supplements and/or a diet of foods rich in iron. Iron tablets may have side effects such as abdominal cramps; nausea; constipation; and dark, hard stools. To lessen side effects, your health care provider will start you on a low dose of iron and slowly increase your dose to the necessary amount. He or she may suggest that you take vitamin C with the iron pills to help your body absorb the iron. Taking the iron at mealtimes can help prevent stomach and intestinal upset. Do not take antacids and do not eat or drink any dairy products at the same time you take the iron pills. Antacids and dairy products prevent the body from absorbing iron. Only rarely are iron shots needed.Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia:
If you have this form of anemia because your stomach does not absorb vitamin B-12 well, the usual treatment is a shot of vitamin B-12 once a month. In some cases your health care provider may prescribe an oral tablet.Folic acid deficiency anemia:
The treatment for folic acid deficiency anemia is daily oral folate tablets. This anemia is similar to vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia. You should not start taking folate supplements until your health care provider has made sure you do not have vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia.Anemia caused by inherited abnormalities of RBCs:
Sickle cell anemia usually requires frequent treatments. Sickle cell crisis requires IV (intravenous) fluids, rest, pain relief, and sometimes a blood transfusion. The treatment for thalassemia depends on such factors as the severity of the anemia, your age, and the risk of blood transfusions. When blood transfusions are needed for acute anemia, there is a small risk that you will get a blood-borne disease such as hepatitis or AIDS, even though donated blood is carefully screened. For this reason, your health care provider will recommend a transfusion only when it is clearly the best treatment for you. People who have thalassemia must not take iron tablets.Anemia caused by chronic disease:
Fortunately, the effects of this type of anemia usually tend to be mild. For certain conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, your health care provider may prescribe regular shots of erythropoietin. These shots cause your body to make more red blood cells.How Long Will the Effects of Anemia Last?
The symptoms of mild, easily treated anemias, such as iron deficiency anemia, respond quickly to treatment and improve in just a few days. The symptoms of chronic anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, come and go. Anemia associated with a chronic disease usually improves or worsens as the disease improves or worsens.How Can I Take Care of Myself?
Follow your health care provider's instructions. Take your medicine as prescribed.What Can I Do to Help Prevent Anemia and the Problems it Causes?
The prevention of anemia depends on the cause. If your anemia is caused by a deficiency in your diet, eating foods rich in the missing nutrient will help to prevent a recurrence. To prevent the complications of vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia, follow your health care provider's treatment of vitamin B-12 injections. If you have sickle cell disease, it is important not to get dehydrated (that is, not to lose too much body fluid) during hot weather, exercise, or illness. Dehydration can trigger a sickle cell crisis. Genetic counseling is important for families with inherited anemia.FAQ
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What is anemia?
Anemia is a decrease in the number of hemoglobin-containing red blood cells. Hemoglobin is what carries oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. People with anemia may feel tired, weak, and dizzy because their blood doesn't carry enough oxygen to their muscles and organs, leading to serious health problems if left untreated.
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Which biomarkers indicate anemia in a blood panel?
Various blood tests can be used to diagnose anemia. The most common are hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit, which help diagnose all types of anemia, including those caused by iron deficiency or chronic illness. Other relevant markers are:
- Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
- Ferritin
These help determine if red cells are normal in size, content, and shape, allowing to conclude if the anemia is associated with bone marrow suppression, folic acid deficiency, vitamin B12 or iron deficiency.
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Which blood test shows anemia by iron deficiency?
The most popular blood test for iron-deficiency anemia is the ferritin blood test. This test measures how much iron your body is storing at a given time in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. This test is a good indicator of whether or not your body has enough iron for normal function.
Also, the hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of red blood cells are measured to detect iron deficiency, a lack of oxygen in the blood due to having fewer and smaller red blood cells in your system.
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Do I need to visit a doctor?
Nope. You don't need a doctor's visit to get a test with us.
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How do I get my results?
You'll get your results via email as soon as they are available. We will notify you via SMS as well. You can also see them at any time in the future right in your dashboard where you can easily share them with your professional and compare them side by side with future tests.
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Does my lab prescription expire?
We're the only lab that honors your lab order forever.