Anemia Test Panel

About this test

This panel combines six tests that, when read together, help identify the most common causes of anemia — a condition where your blood can't carry enough oxygen to meet your body's needs. It's appropriate if you're experiencing persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, weakness, or cold hands and feet.

Anemia has many causes, and the treatment depends entirely on the type. This panel is designed to tell you and your clinician not just whether anemia is present, but why — whether it's due to low iron stores, B-vitamin deficiency, or another underlying issue.

Components

• Iron Study (Iron, TIBC, and Ferritin): Evaluates how much iron is circulating in your blood, how much carrying capacity is available, and how much is stored. Together, these three markers are the cornerstone of diagnosing iron-deficiency anemia.
• Ferritin: Your body's iron storage marker — the first to drop when iron is running low, even before anemia fully develops.
• CBC with Differential: Counts and evaluates all major blood cell types. In anemia, red blood cell count and hemoglobin are typically low. The size and shape of red blood cells help identify the type of anemia.
• Vitamin B12: Essential for making healthy red blood cells and maintaining nerve function. Low B12 causes a type of anemia (megaloblastic) where red blood cells are abnormally large and don't function properly.
• Folate (Folic Acid): Like B12, folate is required for red blood cell production. Deficiency causes a similar pattern of large, dysfunctional red blood cells.
• Basic Metabolic Profile: Checks kidney function and electrolytes, which can contribute to or complicate anemia, particularly in people with chronic kidney disease.

Who is this test for?

This panel is well-suited for anyone experiencing persistent fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, or dizziness without a clear cause. It is often recommended for women with heavy periods, pregnant women, older adults, and people following plant-based or calorie-restricted diets. It is also used to investigate abnormal results on a routine CBC.