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Choose collection locationBiochemistry · Individual laboratory test
Iron
Serum iron measures iron circulating in the blood at the moment of the draw. It gives different information from the body's stored iron.
Price for this test on its ownAED 125Test price AED 25
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Serum
- Laboratory turnaround
- 24 hours
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What does the Iron test measure?
Also called Serum Iron
Serum iron may be requested during an assessment of anaemia, iron treatment or possible iron overload. It is often paired with markers of storage and transport.
When it may be requested
A transport measurement
Circulating iron contributes to calculation of transferrin saturation.
An iron pattern during illness
The combination with ferritin can clarify whether low circulating iron reflects low stores or inflammatory changes.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenSerum
Your checklist
Choose a fasting morning draw if possible. Meals and recent iron doses can change this circulating measurement; ask the clinician how to time an iron supplement.
A clinician takes a small sample of blood from a vein. The laboratory uses serum, the liquid separated from the blood after it clots.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
24 hoursLaboratory turnaround
Result guideIron
Reading your result
The value varies through the day and after food or supplements. Ferritin and transferrin saturation help distinguish transient variation from a change in iron status.
What can affect it
- Meals, supplements and timing can affect serum iron substantially.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testIron
- Specimen
- Serum
- Turnaround
- 24 hours
Open your laboratory report
Look for Iron in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
Explore Smart Report
Discuss the next step
Note the collection time, last meal and last iron supplement, then compare the result with ferritin or binding capacity if available.
Health packages
Packages that include this test
Compare the other tests in each package before choosing.
Basic Health CheckupIron Profile
Basic Health CheckupAnemia Profile
Advanced Health PackagesAdvanced Health CheckupSee all 10 packages
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Advanced Health PackagesExecutive Health Checkup
Advanced Health PackagesHair Loss Profile
Advanced Health PackagesElite Health Checkup
Advanced Health PackagesFitness Profile
Advanced Health PackagesMaster Health CheckupClinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
Why take note of a recent iron supplement?
A recent dose or meal can change circulating iron. Give the team the time of your most recent dose and follow its instructions for your particular order.
Why does this test have to be done in the morning?
Serum iron varies during the day, so a similar morning collection time makes two results easier to compare. A meal or a recent iron supplement can still affect the measurement. Tell the team when you last ate or took iron.
What does a high serum iron level mean?
Most often it follows an iron tablet, multivitamin or infusion taken shortly before the sample. Less commonly it points towards iron overload, such as hereditary haemochromatosis or repeated blood transfusions, or reflects liver injury or red cell breakdown releasing iron into the blood. A repeat fasting morning sample with ferritin and transferrin saturation helps tell these apart.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore health packages.
Open a package to see exactly which tests it includes.
Iron Profile
Serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) from one blood sample, to check for iron deficiency.
- biomarkers
- 2
- Samples
- Blood
- Listed turnaround
- 24 hours
AED 89
Explore packageAnemia Profile
A complete blood count, serum iron and vitamin B12 from one blood sample, to check for anaemia and two of its common causes.
- biomarkers
- 23
- Samples
- Blood
- Listed turnaround
- 24 hours
AED 129
Explore packageAdvanced Health Checkup
A broad whole-body screen covering blood, urine and stool with kidney, liver, lipid, iron, diabetes and vitamin markers.
- biomarkers
- 72
- Samples
- Blood + Urine + Stool
- Listed turnaround
- 24 hours
AED 299
Explore packageExecutive Health Checkup
A whole-body screen of blood, urine and stool with kidney, liver, lipid, iron, diabetes and vitamin markers, plus thyroid function and a full…
- biomarkers
- 77
- Samples
- Blood + Urine + Stool
- Listed turnaround
- 48 hours
AED 429
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Your next step
Iron test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.