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Anemia Blood Test Panels: CBC, Iron, Ferritin & B12 Levels
Measure the red blood cell, iron, and vitamin markers most often reviewed when fatigue goes unexplained.
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Panels from $43.96 with the current 20% promotion (regularly from $54.95); promotional pricing at time of writing.
At a glance
Anemia blood test panels measure red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron status, and vitamin B12 and folate levels, the markers clinicians review when evaluating persistent tiredness, weakness, or shortness of breath. They are designed for adults who want a clear, lab-based picture of their blood's oxygen-carrying capacity to bring to their doctor. Panels range from a basic complete blood count with iron studies to a comprehensive workup that adds reticulocyte count, erythropoietin, and homocysteine.
Best suited for
- Adults with persistent tiredness, weakness, or trouble concentrating despite adequate rest
- People noticing pale skin, dizziness, cold hands and feet, or heart palpitations they plan to discuss with a doctor
- Menstruating women, frequent blood donors, and endurance athletes at higher risk of low iron stores
- Vegetarians, vegans, and older adults tracking vitamin B12 and folate status
- Anyone monitoring iron levels or red blood cell counts over time with their clinician
What's included
Anemia Diagnostic Profile, Basic
4 tests covering 38 biomarkers
Anemia Health - Basic
CBC with differential and platelets, iron and TIBC, and transferrin (3 tests, 37 biomarkers)
Anemia Health - Basic Plus
Adds C-reactive protein, a comprehensive metabolic panel, and ferritin (6 tests, 60 biomarkers)
Anemia Health - Advanced
Adds folate, reticulocyte count, and a sickle cell screen (9 tests, 64 biomarkers)
Anemia Health - Comprehensive
Adds erythropoietin, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and fecal globin by immunochemistry (13 tests, 68 biomarkers)
Key biomarker ranges
Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.
Commonly used reference ranges differ by sex, roughly 30–200 ng/mL is typical, with men’s upper bounds higher; inflammation can raise ferritin and mask low iron.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Low | 0–30 ng/mL |
| Typical range | 30–200 ng/mL |
| Elevated | 200–400 ng/mL |
For eGFR, lower is worse: 90+ is consistent with full kidney function, while sustained values below 60 are the commonly used threshold of concern.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Kidney failure range | 0–15 mL/min/1.73m² |
| Reduced | 15–60 mL/min/1.73m² |
| Mildly reduced | 60–90 mL/min/1.73m² |
| Optimal | 90–120 mL/min/1.73m² |
Commonly used cutoffs place ALT below roughly 30–40 U/L, with slightly lower thresholds often cited for women; recent exercise and alcohol can raise results.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–30 U/L |
| Borderline high | 30–50 U/L |
| High | 50–100 U/L |
The importance of testing
A complete blood count (CBC) with differential reports your red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, together, a snapshot of how well your blood can carry oxygen to your tissues. When these numbers run low, the pattern of supporting markers helps point to why. Iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin, and ferritin show how much iron your body has available, how it is transported, and how much is held in storage, since low iron is one of the most common factors associated with anemia.
Vitamin B12 and folate levels matter too: deficiencies in either are associated with megaloblastic anemia, a pattern linked to fatigue and difficulty concentrating. The advanced and comprehensive tiers add a reticulocyte count, which reflects whether your bone marrow is producing enough new red blood cells, plus markers such as C-reactive protein, a comprehensive metabolic panel, a sickle cell screen, erythropoietin, and homocysteine for a wider view of contributing factors.
These are useful numbers to track over time rather than read once. Retesting hemoglobin and ferritin after dietary changes, supplementation, or therapy your doctor recommends shows whether iron stores and red cell production are trending in the right direction. Bring any flagged or borderline results to your physician, interpretation depends on your history, medications, and symptoms, and only a clinician can determine what a result means for you.
Part of our complete guide to Nutrient & Vitamin Lab Tests — browse every panel and biomarker guide in this hub.
Promo code
ULTAA857Save 20% with code ULTAA857, current promotion; confirm final pricing on the partner page.
Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
What does an anemia blood test panel measure?
An anemia panel measures red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit alongside iron status markers such as iron, TIBC, transferrin, and ferritin. Depending on the tier, it can also include vitamin B12, folate, reticulocyte count, C-reactive protein, a comprehensive metabolic panel, a sickle cell screen, erythropoietin, and homocysteine, markers associated with different patterns of anemia that your doctor can interpret together.
Can I order an anemia blood test without a doctor's visit?
Yes, these panels can be ordered online directly through the partner lab, with no physician visit required to place the order. You select a panel, complete checkout, and visit a local draw location to have blood collected. Results are for informational use; share them with your own doctor for interpretation and next steps.
Which anemia panel should I choose?
The Basic panel (CBC, iron and TIBC, transferrin) is a reasonable starting point if you simply want core red blood cell and iron numbers. Basic Plus adds ferritin, C-reactive protein, and a metabolic panel; Advanced adds folate, reticulocyte count, and a sickle cell screen; and Comprehensive adds vitamin B12, erythropoietin, homocysteine, and a fecal globin test for the widest view. If you are already working with a clinician, ask which markers they want to see.
Is there a discount on anemia testing right now?
Yes, at the time of writing, the partner page shows 20% off anemia panels with promo code ULTAA857, bringing the entry-level panel from $54.95 to $43.96. Promotions can change, so confirm the code and final pricing at checkout on the partner page.
Is this testing available in every US state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. If you live elsewhere in the US, you can typically order online and use a nearby draw location.
Can these tests confirm anemia?
No, these panels measure markers associated with anemia, but they are not intended to confirm any condition. Confirmation requires a licensed clinician who can interpret your results in the context of your symptoms, history, and medications. Use the results as a structured starting point for that conversation.
References
- [1] Iron-Deficiency Anemia — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
- [2] Limitations of Serum Ferritin in Diagnosing Iron Deficiency in Inflammatory Conditions — International Journal of Chronic Diseases
- [3] Diagnosis of Hemochromatosis — NIDDK (NIH)
- [4] Dose–response relationship of serum ferritin and dietary iron intake with metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Frontiers in Nutrition
- [5] Physiology, Glomerular Filtration Rate — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
- [6] Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) — National Kidney Foundation
- [7] What Is Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults? — NIDDK (NIH)
- [8] Is It Time for a Requiem for Creatine Supplementation-Induced Kidney Failure? A Narrative Review — Nutrients
- [9] Estimated GFR (eGFR) Test: Kidney Function Levels, Stages, and What to Do Next — National Kidney Foundation
- [10] Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Test — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
- [11] Definition & Facts of NAFLD & NASH — NIDDK (NIH)
- [12] The Link between NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome — Diagnostics
- [13] Liver Function Tests — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
Reviewed by
Jason August
Founder & Editorial Lead
Jason August is the founder of Metabolic Markers and its parent company, Advancing Development. He has spent his career building and scaling real-world ventures, including as a founding team member at Build-A-Bear Workshop during its growth from startup to global public company, and since then across capital, real estate, adaptive reuse, and hospitality. He founded Metabolic Markers to make blood-biomarker testing easier to understand and access, and oversees the site’s content and editorial accuracy. Jason is not a medical professional; all content on this site is educational, reviewed for accuracy, and never a substitute for advice from a licensed physician.
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