Anemia Test
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?
No doctor visit needed.
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How do I get my results?
You get your results via email as soon as they are available.
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Does my lab prescription expire?
Your lab prescription never expires.*
- Low prices since 2005
- Same day lab order by email
- Labs within 1 mile of 90% of the US
- Lab test prescriptions NEVER expire*
- Over 650 blood work labs to choose from
- Secure, encrypted & accurate testing
- Low prices since 2005
- Same day lab order by email
- Labs within 1 mile of 90% of the US
- Lab test prescriptions NEVER expire*
- Over 4000 blood work locations + 650 different blood tests to choose from
- Secure, encrypted & accurate testing
Iron, Serum (Quest Diagnostics) Same day lab order delivery
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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