Iron studies for women — ferritin, iron, transferrin saturation.
If you're tired, losing hair or bleeding heavily, a 'normal' ferritin from a 5-marker GP screen often misses the picture. Iron studies show the full chain: storage (ferritin), circulating iron, transferrin and saturation.
Her Form runs full iron studies as part of every women's panel — or as a stand-alone draw if iron is what you came for. Nurse home draw, accredited lab, written specialist read against your symptoms.
Why full iron studies matter for women
Ferritin is the storage tank — but it also rises in inflammation, so a 'high-normal' number with a low transferrin saturation often hides true iron deficiency.
Optimal ferritin for women trying to conceive, train hard or grow hair sits ~60–100 ng/mL — well above the lab's flagging cut-off of 30.
Heavy periods (often perimenopause-related) silently drain iron stores; checking annually is sensible if you bleed for >5 days or pass clots.
Iron should be retested 8–12 weeks after starting supplementation — over-supplementation has its own risks.
When to test iron
Any day of your cycle — but ideally not during the heaviest bleeding days.
Fasting isn't required for ferritin; useful for the full metabolic context if you're doing it anyway.
Pause iron supplements 24–48 hours before draw to avoid an artificially high serum iron reading.
The markers that clarify the picture
Essential Hormone Panel
Not feeling like yourself? This is where to start.
- · Thyroid, sex hormones, iron
- · Written specialist review
- · Personalised protocol
What's the difference between ferritin and iron?+
Iron is what's circulating right now; ferritin is your stored iron. Transferrin saturation links the two — it shows how full your transport proteins are. You need all three to read iron status properly.
What ferritin level is optimal for women?+
Lab ranges flag <30 ng/mL as deficient, but for energy, hair growth and fertility we target 60–100 ng/mL. Above 150 is worth investigating for inflammation or storage disorders.
I have heavy periods — should I test more often?+
Yes. If you bleed >5 days, pass clots or are in perimenopause, annual iron studies (plus a ferritin check 3 months after any change in flow or treatment) make sense.
Will iron supplements skew the result?+
Yes — oral iron can elevate serum iron acutely. Pause supplements 24–48 hours before your draw. Ferritin (storage) is less affected and reflects the longer trend.
Is a GP referral needed?+
No — Her Form is direct-to-consumer. We send a certified nurse to your home, ship samples to our accredited partner lab, and return results with a written review by our health specialists. Robyn is available for an optional 1:1 consult.
How long until I have my results?+
7–14 working days from draw, including written specialist review. Anything urgent is flagged the same day it lands.
References
- Endocrine Society — Female hormone health — Sex hormone assessment and interpretation in women
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health — Comprehensive women's hormone health guidance
- RANZCOG — Women's health guidelines — ANZ clinical standards for reproductive-age women
- NICE — Women's health guidelines — Evidence-based hormone and reproductive health guidance
The references above are provided for educational purposes only. Her Form does not endorse any specific organisation, treatment, or guideline. Information on this page does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.