Iron, Serum Test in Kathmandu

About this test

Serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in your blood bound to transferrin, the protein that ferries it from the gut and stores to the bone marrow where red cells are made. On its own this single number is rarely the whole story, which is why your doctor usually reads it alongside total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation and ferritin — together these distinguish true iron deficiency from the anaemia that accompanies long-standing infection or inflammation. The test is ordered when a complete blood count shows small, pale red cells (low MCV and MCH) suggesting iron-deficiency anaemia, or to investigate symptoms such as persistent tiredness, breathlessness on mild exertion, pale skin, brittle nails, hair fall, or unusual cravings to chew ice. It is equally used in the opposite direction, to check for iron overload in people with a strong family history or repeated transfusions. In Nepal, iron-deficiency anaemia is genuinely common — particularly among women during menstruation and pregnancy, growing children and adolescents, and those following largely vegetarian diets where dietary iron is harder to absorb; intestinal parasites and chronic blood loss are other frequent contributors. A low serum iron with raised TIBC points toward deficiency, while a low iron with low TIBC more often reflects chronic disease. Because levels swing with the time of day, recent meals and supplements, careful timing of your sample makes the result far more reliable, and your doctor will always interpret it in the context of your symptoms and other blood tests rather than from this figure alone.

Sample type

Blood (serum)

Preparation

Morning sample preferred, ideally before 10 am, as iron levels are highest early in the day and fall through the afternoon. An overnight fast of 8–12 hours is recommended; water is fine. Tell us about any iron tablets or syrups you are taking — these should usually be stopped for 24 hours before the test unless your doctor advises otherwise, as recent doses can falsely raise the result.

Turnaround time

Reports for Iron, Serum are typically ready within: Same Day. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other biochemistry tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside Iron, Serum or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.