Description

This panel is to aid in diagnosis of anemia and abnormalities of the white blood count. This will help determine if a low blood count or anemia is the source of fatigue, shortness of breath or other systemic symptoms. This panel includes iron deficiency evaluations as well as other reasons for anemia, including Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency, hemoglobin abnormalities, evaluation of the bone marrow's production of cells, as well as evaluation of the platelet count.

The following test are included in this panel:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Ferritin

Folic Acid

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

Iron with TIBC

A Reticulocyte Count

Transferrin

Vitamin B12

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

Complete Blood Count (CBC) -A Complete Blood Count (CBC) test measures different parts of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It helps screen for anemia by checking if you have enough red blood cells and if they are healthy. Low red blood cell counts, or low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia, helping doctors diagnose and treat it.

Ferritin – A Ferritin test measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in your body. This test helps doctors check for anemia by showing how much iron is stored. Low ferritin levels can indicate iron deficiency anemia, meaning your body doesn't have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells.

Folic Acid – A Folic Acid test measures the amount of folic acid, or Vitamin B9, in your blood. Folic acid is important for making red blood cells and for cell growth. Low levels can lead to a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are larger than normal and don’t function properly. The test helps doctors diagnose this anemia by checking if you have enough folic acid.

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis is a blood test that measures the levels of different types of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The test can detect abnormal types of hemoglobin, which are associated with disorders called hemoglobinopathies.

Iron with TIBC – An Iron with TIBC test measures the amount of iron in your blood and the Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), which shows how well iron is being carried in your blood. This test helps doctors find out if you have anemia, a condition where you don’t have enough red blood cells or iron to carry oxygen through your body. Low iron levels or high TIBC can indicate anemia or other iron-related issues.

A Reticulocyte Count, also known as a retic count, is a blood test that measures the number of immature red blood cells (reticulocytes) in your blood. It's used to assess how well your bone marrow is producing red blood cells and can help diagnose and monitor conditions that affect red blood cells.

Transferrin – A Transferrin test measures the amount of transferrin, a protein that helps carry iron in your blood. This test helps doctors check if you have anemia by showing how well your body is transporting iron. Low transferrin levels can suggest anemia or other problems with iron levels in the body.

Vitamin B12 – A Vitamin B12 test measures the amount of Vitamin B12 in your blood. This vitamin is crucial for making red blood cells. Low levels of Vitamin B12 can lead to a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are larger than normal and don't work properly. The test helps doctors diagnose and treat this type of anemia by checking if you have enough Vitamin B12.