ORDER
Order and referral check
Order your test. We review the order and check whether a referral or other information is required before the next step can begin.
Practitioner grade
NutriPath
Complete iron levels blood test
NutriPath pathology testing
An iron studies blood test measuring serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation and ferritin.
About this test
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency globally, and one of the most commonly missed in fatigue workups. Ferritin alone is not enough. Ferritin reflects stored iron but can be falsely elevated by inflammation, liver disease and infection, masking true deficiency. A complete iron panel measures all four relevant markers. Ferritin shows stored iron (the most useful single marker when inflammation is absent). Serum iron shows circulating iron (variable through the day). TIBC shows how much transferrin is available to carry iron (rises when iron is low). Transferrin saturation shows the percentage actually carrying iron (under 20 percent suggests deficiency). Together these four give you the definitive picture. For women with heavy periods, iron status should be checked at least yearly. For anyone with unexplained fatigue, hair thinning, restless legs or shortness of breath on exertion, iron is one of the first things to measure.
What it measures
- Ferritin
- Serum Iron
- TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)
- Transferrin Saturation
Test details
CollectionBlood collection provider
LabNutriPath
When to expect your results
24 hours after the laboratory receives your sample
Allow time for order and referral checks, your collection appointment and sample transport. Laboratory processing starts after your sample reaches the testing laboratory.
See the steps from order to results
Practitioner consult session
A 15-minute consultation. An email link will be included in your order confirmation to make the booking.
Optional 1:1 with our clinical team · $49
What it measures
Ferritin
Blood (SST)
The primary marker of iron stores. Low ferritin in the absence of inflammation indicates iron deficiency even when haemoglobin is normal.
Serum Iron
Blood (SST)
Circulating iron. Can vary considerably through the day. Single measurement is less informative than ferritin.
TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)
Blood (SST)
Measures available transferrin. Rises in iron deficiency (the body upregulates transferrin to capture available iron).
Transferrin Saturation
Calculated from iron and TIBC
The percentage of transferrin actually carrying iron. One of the most functionally useful markers in the panel.
Your testing journey
From your order to your results.
Order and referral review, sample collection, laboratory analysis and discussing your report are separate stages. Your test’s processing estimate covers the laboratory stage.
ARRANGE
Arrange your collection
Once the required checks are complete, follow the collection form and instructions for the nominated provider. Check appointment and preparation requirements.
COMPLETE
Provide your sample
Attend the nominated collection provider with the required form. Your sample then needs to reach the testing laboratory before processing begins.
RESULTS
Laboratory processing
Once the laboratory receives your sample, it completes the analysis and prepares your report. Discuss the findings with your practitioner alongside your symptoms and health history.
Preparing for this test
Read the instructions supplied for your exact test before collecting. Check food, drink, medicines, timing, storage and return requirements with your practitioner. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice.
Does the estimate include postage?
No. The laboratory estimate does not include order review, referral checks, delivery to you, the time you take to collect, or transport back to the testing laboratory. These stages make up the full order-to-results journey.
Need results by a particular date?
Check with Evergreen before ordering so the referral requirements, collection timing, delivery and laboratory estimate can be considered together.
Ask Evergreen about timing
Before you order.
Practical questions about choosing, preparing for and reviewing this test.
Do I need a consultation or referral?
Requirements vary by test. Check the ordering options on this page and confirm any referral requirements with Evergreen. A laboratory’s practitioner-referral requirement is separate from whether you need to book an additional consultation.
Should I change medicines or supplements before testing?
Do not stop prescribed medicines on your own. Tell your practitioner what you take and follow the preparation instructions for this test. Timing, fasting and other requirements depend on the sample and markers being measured.
Does the test tell me what treatment I need?
A result is one part of an assessment. A qualified practitioner should interpret it alongside your symptoms, history and medicines. Check whether a results consultation is included in your purchase or needs to be booked separately.
How should I read the reference ranges?
Use the reference intervals and units on your own laboratory report. Ranges can vary with the method and patient factors. A result inside or outside a range does not establish a diagnosis on its own.
Who is the testing provider?
These tests are supplied through NutriPath, a medical laboratory founded in 2011 and based in Burwood, Victoria. NutriPath works through a practitioner-referral system.
When does the turnaround estimate start?
The laboratory estimate is not the time from placing your order. Allow time for referral checks, kit dispatch where needed, sample collection and transport before processing. The estimate varies by test, and specialist or overseas analysis can take longer.
Follow the estimate for your specific test. A quoted 3–5 business days does not include the whole ordering and collection journey.
Where do I find preparation and collection instructions?
Use the instructions supplied for your exact kit. Blood tests may require an arranged collection appointment; receiving a kit does not mean you should draw blood yourself. Saliva, urine, stool and breath tests each have different preparation requirements.
Need help choosing?
Find a test that fits your question.
Compare the sample type and what each test measures, or use the guide to narrow your options.