Anemia Blood Test Options

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Start from what you already know about your blood

Each of these answers a different question about your red blood cells.

Want iron stores and B12 checked in one draw? the broadest here — the only one that adds folate and B12 View Advanced Anemia Profile $129 $103
Think low iron is the likely cause? iron stores and iron transport, measured alongside a full blood count View Iron Deficiency Profile $85 $68
Starting out with a first blood count? hemoglobin, red cell size, and platelets — no iron or vitamin results View Complete Blood Count $118 $94
Rechecking red cell production after an earlier result? just two results, showing how fast new red cells appear View Reticulocyte Count $127 $102

Featured tests

HSA/FSA accepted

Anemia Profile (Advanced)

Pinpoint the cause of your fatigue
Reveal hidden iron deficiencies effortlessly
Clarify why you feel dizzy often

• All lab fees included

-20% $103 about $1 per marker

List price ~~$129~~

HSA/FSA accepted

Iron Deficiency Anemia Profile

Pinpoint the cause of your fatigue
Reveal hidden iron deficiencies effortlessly
Clarify why you feel weak often

• All lab fees included

-20% $68 about $1 per marker

List price ~~$85~~

HSA/FSA accepted

Complete Blood Count / CBC (includes Differential and Platelets)

Reveal underlying infections or inflammations effortlessly
Detect anemia or other blood disorders early
Assess your overall health status comprehensively

• All lab fees included

-20% $94 about $1 per marker

List price ~~$118~~

HSA/FSA accepted

Reticulocyte Count

Pinpoint the cause of your fatigue
Reveal hidden issues with your blood cells
Clarify why you might feel weak

• All lab fees included

-20% $102 about $15 per marker

List price ~~$127~~

An anemia blood test helps assess red blood cell measures such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW, then pairs them with tests that address common contributing patterns. Shoppers often compare iron, ferritin, iron binding capacity, percent saturation, reticulocytes, folate, and vitamin B12 to understand which measurements fit an abnormal blood count or a follow-up question. Start by deciding whether you need a CBC baseline, an iron-focused profile, or a panel that also measures folate and vitamin B12.

What red blood cell measurements show

A Complete Blood Count / CBC (includes Differential and Platelets) measures hemoglobin and hematocrit, which describe the hemoglobin-containing portion of blood and the proportion of blood made up by red cells. MCV describes average red cell size; MCH and MCHC describe hemoglobin amount or concentration within red cells; RDW reflects variation in red cell size. These values help characterize a pattern, rather than establish its cause. The CBC also reports red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and a differential, so changes outside the red cell measures are visible. Symptoms, bleeding history, medical conditions, and repeat results deserve professional review.

Iron studies, nutrient measures, and reticulocytes

The Iron Deficiency Anemia Profile combines a CBC with iron, iron binding capacity, percent saturation, ferritin, and reticulocyte measurements. Iron binding capacity and percent saturation help place serum iron alongside the blood's iron-carrying capacity, while ferritin is used as an indicator of stored iron. The Anemia Profile (Advanced) adds folate and vitamin B12, nutrients relevant to red blood cell formation. Reticulocyte count and absolute reticulocyte count show immature red cells released into circulation, helping describe marrow response alongside hemoglobin and hematocrit. Individual results should be interpreted together because inflammation and other factors can influence iron-related values.

Anemia FAQ

An anemia blood test commonly measures hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW. These results describe the amount of hemoglobin in blood, red cell quantity, average cell size, hemoglobin content, and size variation. Profiles in this category also measure iron, ferritin, iron binding capacity, percent saturation, reticulocytes, folate, or vitamin B12 to help investigate patterns seen in the blood count.

The Anemia Profile (Advanced) measures iron, iron binding capacity, percent saturation, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, reticulocyte count, and a CBC with differential and platelets. It is suited to comparing iron availability and stored iron with nutrient measures involved in red blood cell formation. Its results do not identify the cause of anemia alone; a clinician can relate the pattern to symptoms and health history.

The Iron Deficiency Anemia Profile measures CBC values, ferritin, iron, iron binding capacity, percent saturation, and reticulocytes. The Anemia Profile (Advanced) includes those measurements and also adds serum folate and vitamin B12. The iron-focused option addresses questions about iron stores and iron transport, while the Advanced profile adds two nutrient measurements when those are part of the question.

Ferritin is used as an indicator of stored iron, while serum iron measures iron circulating in the sample. Iron binding capacity and percent saturation add information about the relationship between circulating iron and its carrying capacity. A single iron value can vary, and ferritin can be influenced by inflammation, so looking across these measurements is more informative than treating one result as a diagnosis.

MCV reports average red blood cell size, and RDW reports how much red cell sizes vary. Hemoglobin and hematocrit show whether the blood count has reduced hemoglobin-containing red cells or a lower red-cell proportion, but they do not describe cell size. MCV and RDW help characterize the pattern and are best considered with iron studies, folate, vitamin B12, and clinical information when appropriate.

A reticulocyte count measures immature red blood cells, and the absolute reticulocyte count reports their number. These values help describe whether the body is releasing newly formed red cells into circulation alongside the CBC findings. The Reticulocyte Count is useful when the question is specifically red cell production; it does not measure ferritin, iron, folate, or vitamin B12.

A CBC provides a useful starting measurement of hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, platelets, and white blood cells. It characterizes blood-count findings but does not measure iron stores, vitamin B12, or folate. When a blood-count pattern needs further evaluation, an iron-focused profile or the Anemia Profile (Advanced) supplies those additional measurements.

Iron-related results require interpretation with the full panel and the clinical situation. Serum iron reflects iron in the sample, while ferritin reflects stored iron and can be influenced by inflammation. Percent saturation and iron binding capacity help clarify the relationship between iron and carrying capacity. Recent results, symptoms, and any ongoing health concerns are important to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Folate and vitamin B12 are relevant to red blood cell formation and are measured in the Anemia Profile (Advanced). Adding them is useful when a CBC pattern is being considered alongside nutrient-related questions rather than iron status alone. Their values should be reviewed with MCV, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and other findings, since no single laboratory measurement establishes a cause or treatment plan.

Ordering & Results FAQ

You'll receive it via email within 60 seconds of your order unless it requires additional processing (only very complex orders do).

Many general wellness test results are typically available online within 2-3 business days. However, some tests will require additional processing time. You will immediately receive an email & SMS notification when your results are available.

We do not share your results with your physician, insurance company, or any other third party.