FE 6 values Updated Apr 17, 2026

Iron Studies

Iron Studies is a blood test panel that measures iron-related values in a lab report. It commonly includes Iron, Ferritin, Total Iron-Binding Capacity, Transferrin, Iron Saturation, and Soluble Transferrin Receptor. These values give a snapshot of how iron is being carried, stored, and used in the body. In a blood test report, the panel helps organize related measurements into one place for easier reading and comparison over time.

Read the Iron Studies guide

What Is a Iron Studies?

Iron Studies stands for Iron Studies. This panel is one of the most commonly ordered lab panels when a blood test is used to look at iron-related values together. It usually includes Iron, Ferritin (Ferritin), Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), Transferrin (TF), Iron Saturation (TSAT), and Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR). Each value adds a different piece of information to the same lab report. Iron reflects circulating iron, Ferritin reflects stored iron, and the remaining values help describe transport and binding patterns. In this way, Iron Studies results provide a compact view of several linked blood measures.

Why Is It Ordered?

Iron Studies is often ordered during routine checkups, before procedures, and during health monitoring over time. It can also appear when a lab report needs a clearer picture of iron-related blood composition changes. The panel provides a snapshot of storage, transport, and binding patterns rather than one single number. Because it combines several measures, the blood test can be easier to compare across different dates and lab reports.

What Does It Include?

Iron Studies includes several related values that are read together on a lab report. Iron measures the amount of circulating iron in the sample. Ferritin shows stored iron levels, while Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC) reflects how much iron the blood can bind. Transferrin (TF) is the main transport protein for iron, and Iron Saturation (TSAT) shows the percentage of binding sites that are filled. Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) is another value that can help describe iron use at the tissue level. When these values are viewed together, Iron Studies results give a broader picture than any single number alone. Normal range values can vary by lab, method, age, and sex assigned at birth.

Tests in This Panel

Iron

Fe

Iron (Fe) is a blood test value that helps describe iron status in the body. On an Iron Studies panel, Fe on a lab report is often read with related markers to give a fuller picture of blood composition and iron balance. Iron reference range and changes in Fe can vary by age, sex, hydration, diet, and testing method.

Adult Male mcg/dL
65
175

Ferritin

Ferritin is a blood test marker that reflects the amount of stored iron in the body. Ferritin on a lab report is often used as part of iron studies to help describe iron storage, red blood cell production patterns, and related blood composition changes. Higher or lower Ferritin values can vary by age, sex, hydration, and other factors.

Adult Male ng/mL
24
336

Total Iron-Binding Capacity

TIBC

Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC) is a blood measure that estimates how much iron-carrying capacity is available in the circulation. It is reported on an iron studies panel and is often read with ferritin, serum iron, and transferrin saturation to describe iron-related blood composition. TIBC is commonly shown in g/dL or µg/dL, depending on the lab.

Adult Male µg/dL
250
425

Transferrin

Transferrin is a blood protein that binds and transports iron through the circulation. On a lab report or blood test, Transferrin helps describe how much iron-carrying capacity is present in the sample and how that value compares with the Transferrin normal range.

Adult Male mg/dL
200
360

Iron Saturation

TSAT

Iron Saturation (TSAT) is a lab value that shows how much iron is bound to transferrin in the blood, usually reported as a percentage. On an Iron Saturation on a lab report, TSAT helps describe iron transport and how much circulating iron is available at the moment of testing.

Adult Male %
20
50

Soluble Transferrin Receptor

sTfR

Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) is a lab value that reflects how much transferrin receptor is present in a soluble form in blood. The sTfR result is often used in Iron Studies to add context to red cell production and iron use on a lab report or blood test.

Adult Male mg/L
2.2
5

How to Prepare

Preparation for an Iron Studies blood test can vary by lab order and collection site. Some blood tests are done with fasting, while others are not, so the lab report instructions matter. Typical samples are drawn from a vein into a standard blood collection tube, and the result is listed in the lab report with the measured values and normal range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Iron Studies blood test measure?
An blood test measures iron-related values in the blood and related transport proteins. It can show Iron, Ferritin, TIBC, Transferrin, TSAT, and sTfR on the same lab report. Together, these values describe how iron is being carried, stored, and bound.
Do I need to fast for a Iron Studies test?
Fasting rules for an test vary by lab and ordering setup. Some blood test instructions ask for fasting, while others do not. The lab report or collection site usually lists the preparation details for that specific draw.
What are normal Iron Studies results?
Normal results depend on the lab’s reference range, the testing method, and the patient group used for comparison. The lab report usually shows each value with its normal range beside it. A single result is best read in the context of the full panel rather than by one number alone.
How often is tested?
The timing of testing depends on the reason it was ordered and how the values are being tracked over time. It may appear on a routine blood test, before a procedure, or in follow-up lab reports. Repeated testing is often used to compare trends across dates rather than a single result.
How should flagged values on a be read?
Flagged values on an lab report usually mean the result is outside that lab’s normal range. The flag does not change the value itself; it is a marker used by the reporting system. Reading the full panel together often gives more context than looking at one flagged number alone.
Why do results vary between labs?
results can vary between labs because reference ranges, measurement methods, and reporting formats are not always identical. One lab may list Iron Saturation as TSAT or use slightly different units for the same blood test value. That is why the lab report’s own normal range is the main comparison point.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare professional.