Current promotion
Blood Tests for Fatigue: Iron, Anemia & Energy Markers
Tiered lab panels that measure the markers most often reviewed when energy runs low.
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Anemia Health panels from $43.96 and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome panels from $71.16 with the 20% promotion (regularly $54.95 and $88.95). Pricing at time of writing.
At a glance
Fatigue-focused blood testing measures the markers most often reviewed when energy is persistently low: red blood cell counts, iron and total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, metabolic chemistry, and inflammation markers. This promotion includes tiered Anemia Health and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome panels, from a 3-test iron-and-CBC screen to multi-system workups of nearly 100 biomarkers. It suits adults who want objective data to bring to a doctor's conversation about tiredness.
Best suited for
- Adults with ongoing low energy who want objective data before or between doctor visits
- People with a personal or family history of anemia who want to track iron-related markers
- Endurance athletes and frequent blood donors monitoring iron and red blood cell status
- Anyone whose fatigue conversation with their doctor would benefit from recent lab numbers
What's included
Anemia Health - Basic
CBC with differential, iron and TIBC, transferrin, 3 tests, 37 biomarkers
Anemia Health - Basic Plus
Adds C-reactive protein, comprehensive metabolic panel, and ferritin, 6 tests, 60 biomarkers
Anemia Health - Advanced
Adds folate, reticulocyte count, and sickle cell screen, 9 tests, 64 biomarkers
Anemia Health - Comprehensive
Adds vitamin B12, homocysteine, erythropoietin, and fecal globin, 13 tests, 68 biomarkers
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Basic
6 tests, 87 biomarkers (blood and urine)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Basic Plus
8 tests, 89 biomarkers
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Advanced
10 tests, 91 biomarkers
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Comprehensive
15 tests, 97 biomarkers
Deep-dive the key markers: Ferritin, Fasting Glucose, eGFR, ALT
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 |
Commonly used reference ranges place fasting glucose at 70–99 mg/dL; results vary with sleep, stress, and recent illness, and labs differ slightly.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Low | 50–70 mg/dL |
| Optimal | 70–100 mg/dL |
| Prediabetic range | 100–126 mg/dL |
| Diabetic range | 126–160 mg/dL |
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 |
The importance of testing
Tiredness is one of the least specific things a body can report, sleep, stress, training load, nutrient status, and red blood cell health can all contribute. Lab testing does not tell you which one is responsible, but it does replace guesswork with measurements: a complete blood count describes the quantity and quality of red blood cells, iron and TIBC describe iron availability and transport, and ferritin reflects iron storage, all markers associated with anemia-related fatigue.
The Anemia Health family is tiered by depth. Basic covers CBC, iron/TIBC, and transferrin in 3 tests. Basic Plus adds C-reactive protein, a comprehensive metabolic panel, and ferritin. Advanced brings in folate, reticulocyte count, and a sickle cell screen, and the Comprehensive tier adds vitamin B12, homocysteine, erythropoietin, and fecal globin, 13 tests and 68 biomarkers in total. For a wider net, the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome panels span 6 to 15 tests and 87 to 97 biomarkers across blood and urine.
Whichever tier you choose, view the report as structured input for your doctor, not a verdict. Flagged values narrow the conversation, and retesting after any changes you agree on shows whether the relevant markers are moving in the right direction.
Part of our complete guide to Nutrient & Vitamin Lab Tests — browse every panel and biomarker guide in this hub.
Promo code
ULTA2014Save 20% on any wellness panel with code ULTA2014, 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
Which blood tests are usually reviewed for fatigue?
A complete blood count, iron and total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 are among the markers most often reviewed when fatigue is the question, alongside a comprehensive metabolic panel and inflammation markers. The tiered panels here bundle these in increasing depth, from 3 to 15 tests.
Can a blood panel tell me why I'm tired?
No, a panel measures markers associated with fatigue, such as red blood cell counts and iron status, but it is not intended to confirm a cause. Out-of-range values are flags to review with your doctor, who can interpret them alongside your sleep, stress, medications, and history.
Do I need a doctor's order to buy these panels?
No prior appointment is needed, the partner page lets you order any of the panels online and add them to a cart directly. Results are returned to you and are most useful when shared with your doctor.
What's the difference between the Anemia Health and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome panels?
Anemia Health panels focus on red blood cells and iron metabolism, CBC, iron/TIBC, transferrin, ferritin, folate, and B12 at the higher tiers, while Chronic Fatigue Syndrome panels cast a wider multi-system net of 87 to 97 biomarkers. Start with the family that matches your main question; they can be combined.
Is this testing available in every 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. Most other US states are served through the partner's lab network.
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] Hidden Risks behind Normal Fasting Glucose: Is It Significant? — Diabetes & Metabolism Journal (Korean Diabetes Association, via PMC)
- [6] Good to Know: Factors Affecting Blood Glucose — Clinical Diabetes, American Diabetes Association (via PMC)
- [7] Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- [8] Physiology, Glomerular Filtration Rate — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
- [9] Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) — National Kidney Foundation
- [10] What Is Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults? — NIDDK (NIH)
- [11] Is It Time for a Requiem for Creatine Supplementation-Induced Kidney Failure? A Narrative Review — Nutrients
- [12] Estimated GFR (eGFR) Test: Kidney Function Levels, Stages, and What to Do Next — National Kidney Foundation
- [13] Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Test — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
- [14] Definition & Facts of NAFLD & NASH — NIDDK (NIH)
- [15] The Link between NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome — Diagnostics
- [16] 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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