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Getting the most from your blood test

Good timing and the same routine each time make your results easier to compare.

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How do you get the most from your blood test? After an iron infusion, ferritin jumps for a while. Ask your doctor when to recheck. Iron levels change during the day. Testing at the same time each time makes results easier to compare. Follow any instructions on your requisition. Ferritin, hemoglobin and iron saturation, or TSAT, are usually checked. Keep every result. Know your numbers. Bring them to your doctor.

Short answer: good timing and the same routine each time make your results easier to compare.

Timing after an infusion

Ferritin rises for a while after an iron infusion, so an early test can look higher than your real level. Ask your doctor when to recheck. It's usually several weeks later.

Same time, same way

Iron levels change through the day. A morning test, done the same way each time, is easier to compare. If your requisition says to fast, follow it.

What's usually checked

Ferritin: your stored iron.
Hemoglobin: the protein that carries oxygen in your blood.
Iron saturation (TSAT): how much iron is moving in your blood.

Keep your results

Add each result to iViron, or keep the printouts, and bring them to your doctor.

Know your numbers. Bring them to your doctor.

Track your ferritin and infusions with iViron, and show your own doctor a one-page summary.

Track it with your own doctor →

More guides

iViron is a tracking and education tool, not a clinic, and doesn't provide medical care. This guide is general information, not medical advice — always talk to your doctor about your iron levels and treatment.