List of Included Tests - 8 Tests
A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection, platelets disorders and leukemia.
A total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) test measures the blood ability to attach itself to iron and transport it around the body. If you have iron deficiency (a lack of iron in your blood), your iron level will be low but your TIBC will be high. If you have too much iron (for example, if you have a condition like haemochromatosis), your iron level will be high but your TIBC will be low or normal.
Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron. A ferritin test helps your doctor understand how much iron your body stores. Ferritin test reveals that your blood ferritin level is lower than normal, it indicates that your body iron stores are low and you have iron deficiency. As a result, you could be anemic.
Folate (vitamin B-9) is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine. Folate is found mainly in dark green leafy vegetables, beans, peas and nuts. Fruits rich in folate include oranges, lemons, bananas, melons and strawberries. The synthetic form of folate is folic acid. It’s in an essential component of prenatal vitamins and is in many fortified foods such as cereals and pastas. A diet lacking foods rich in folate or folic acid can lead to a folate deficiency. Folate deficiency can also occur in people who have conditions, such as celiac disease, that prevent the small intestine from absorbing nutrients from foods (malabsorption syndromes).
Iron tests measure different substances in the blood to check iron levels in your body. Iron is
a mineral essential for making red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Iron is also important for healthy muscles, bone marrow, and organ function. Iron levels that are too low or too high can cause serious health problems.
Vitamin B-12 plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA ( molecules inside cells that carry genetic information. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, nerve damage and mood disturbances.
Preparation
- Fasting is not required
