Iron Studies

Serum Iron

Q: What is the normal range for Serum Iron?

The standard teaching reference range for Serum Iron is 60-170 µg/dL in conventional units, or 11-30 µmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in serum (morning, fasting). Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.

Q: What causes a high Serum Iron?

Common causes of a high Serum Iron: Hemochromatosis / iron overload; Repeated transfusions; Hemolysis; Iron supplementation.

Q: What causes a low Serum Iron?

Common causes of a low Serum Iron: Iron-deficiency anemia; Chronic blood loss; Poor intake or absorption.

Normal range 60-170 µg/dL (11-30 µmol/L SI). Specimen: Serum (morning, fasting).

Also known as: iron.

60-170 µg/dLReference range

Reference range

Conventionalµg/dL

60170

SIµmol/L

1130

Combined adult band. LabVals does not publish separate men's, women's, or pediatric ranges for Serum Iron; those can be narrower than the band shown.

Serum Iron reference range, specimen, and conversion details
Specimen	Serum (morning, fasting)
Conventional range	60-170 µg/dL
SI range	11-30 µmol/L
Conversion factor	×0.179 (conventional → SI)
Panel	Iron Studies

Convert any Serum Iron result between units on the unit converter.

What is the normal range for Serum Iron?

The standard teaching reference range for Serum Iron is 60-170 µg/dL in conventional units, or 11-30 µmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in serum (morning, fasting).

Source: Adult reference values compiled from Pagana & Pagana, Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, and Fischbach & Dunning, A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.

Above the range

What causes a high Serum Iron?

Hemochromatosis / iron overload
Repeated transfusions
Hemolysis
Iron supplementation

What causes a high Serum Iron? Read as its own page

Below the range

What causes a low Serum Iron?

Iron-deficiency anemia
Chronic blood loss
Poor intake or absorption

What causes a low Serum Iron? Read as its own page

At the bedside

Nursing considerations

Varies through the day (higher in the morning); draw fasting and interpret with ferritin and TIBC.

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Same panel

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