Anemia & Blood
the most-missed cause of fatigue in women.
A full CBC plus iron studies (ferritin, transferrin, TIBC, % saturation), B12, folate, and the markers of red-cell turnover (reticulocytes, haptoglobin, LDH). Tells you whether you're losing iron, failing to absorb it, or destroying red cells faster than you can make them.
- No insurance required
- HSA & FSA eligible
- CLIA-accredited labs
Roughly 1 in 4 menstruating women is iron-deficient — and the lab's 'normal' floor of 15 ng/mL is far below the level women actually feel well at.
Hemoglobin drops last. Ferritin (storage iron) falls first — so months of fatigue, hair shedding, restless legs and brain fog show up before a standard anemia screen flags anything. Heavy periods, fibroids, pregnancy and breastfeeding all tilt the balance further. Pairing iron studies with B12, folate, and the reticulocyte response separates intake problems from absorption problems from blood-loss problems — which matters, because each one calls for a different fix.
The 62 biomarkers in this panel - and why each one.
Tap a marker to read the clinical note and the women-specific context.
Ferritin
Ferritin is the intracellular iron storage protein; the most sensitive single marker of iron stores before anemia develops.
Iron, Total
Circulating serum iron — a snapshot of iron in transit rather than in storage.
Iron Binding Capacity
TIBC measures the blood's capacity to transport iron, the indirect inverse marker of iron stores.
Transferrin
Iron-transport protein — rises when iron stores are depleted.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is essential for myelin synthesis, red blood cell formation, and methionine recycling from homocysteine.
Folate, Serum
Serum folate — a snapshot of recent dietary folate intake.
Haptoglobin
A scavenger protein that binds free hemoglobin released when red cells break down. Low haptoglobin means red cells are being destroyed faster than usual (hemolysis) — a different problem from iron-loss anemia, with a different fix. Very high values can also flag acute inflammation, since haptoglobin is an acute-phase reactant.
Reticulocyte Count
The count of the youngest red cells in circulation — the bone marrow's current output. A brisk reticulocyte response after blood loss or iron replacement is reassuring; a flat response tells you the marrow cannot keep up (iron, B12, folate, kidney disease, or marrow suppression).
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD)
An enzyme found in nearly every tissue; it leaks into blood when cells are damaged. In a hematology context, rising LDH plus low haptoglobin plus high reticulocytes is the classic hemolysis fingerprint. Isolated modest elevations are non-specific — strenuous exercise, bruising and many viruses raise it transiently.
White Blood Cell Count
Total count of white blood cells; the front-line defense of the immune system.
Red Blood Cell Count
Total red blood cell count; used alongside hemoglobin and hematocrit to assess anemia.
Hemoglobin
The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells; the primary measure of anemia severity.
Hematocrit
The fraction of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.
MCV
Mean corpuscular volume — the average size of red blood cells; elevated in B12/folate deficiency, low in iron deficiency.
MCH
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin — the average amount of hemoglobin per red cell; low MCH is an early signal of iron depletion.
MCHC
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration — classic for iron-deficiency anemia when low.
RDW
Red cell distribution width — measures variability in red cell size; elevated RDW reflects oxidative stress and mixed deficiencies.
Platelet Count
The circulating particles that initiate clotting; low counts increase bleeding risk, high counts can reflect inflammation or iron deficiency.
MPV
Mean platelet volume — larger platelets are more reactive; elevated MPV is associated with cardiovascular and thrombotic risk.
Absolute Neutrophils
Absolute count of neutrophils — the first responders to bacterial infection.
Absolute Band Neutrophils
Immature neutrophils (bands) — elevated counts (left shift) indicate acute bacterial infection or bone marrow stress.
Absolute Metamyelocytes
Immature granulocyte precursors; presence in blood indicates bone marrow stress or severe infection.
Absolute Myelocytes
Granulocyte precursors; circulating myelocytes indicate abnormal bone marrow release.
Absolute Promyelocytes
Very early granulocyte precursors; their presence in blood is abnormal and requires urgent evaluation.
Absolute Lymphocytes
Absolute count of lymphocytes — key mediators of adaptive immunity including T and B cells.
Absolute Monocytes
Absolute monocytes; these differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells in tissue.
Absolute Eosinophils
Absolute eosinophils; respond to allergic reactions and parasitic infections.
Absolute Basophils
Absolute basophils — the rarest white cell, involved in allergic and inflammatory responses.
Absolute Blasts
Blast cells in peripheral blood; any presence is abnormal and requires immediate haematology referral.
Absolute Nucleated RBC
Nucleated red blood cells in peripheral blood; normally only present in foetal circulation and severe anaemia.
Neutrophils %
Percentage of neutrophils in the white cell differential; elevated in bacterial infection and stress.
Band Neutrophils %
Percentage of band (immature) neutrophils; elevated in acute bacterial infection.
Metamyelocytes %
Percentage of metamyelocytes; should be absent from normal peripheral blood.
Myelocytes %
Percentage of myelocytes; absent from normal blood.
Promyelocytes %
Percentage of promyelocytes; absent from normal blood.
Lymphocytes %
Percentage of lymphocytes in the white cell differential; reflects adaptive immunity.
Reactive Lymphocytes %
Atypical (reactive) lymphocytes; elevated in viral infections such as EBV and CMV.
Monocytes %
Percentage of monocytes; elevated in chronic infections and inflammatory conditions.
Eosinophils %
Percentage of eosinophils; elevated in allergic and parasitic conditions.
Basophils %
Percentage of basophils; mildly elevated counts can accompany allergic inflammation or thyroid disease.
Blasts %
Percentage of blasts; absent from normal blood. Any presence requires urgent evaluation.
Nucleated RBC %
Nucleated RBCs per 100 WBCs; should be absent in normal adults.
CBC Comment
Pathologist or automated comment on peripheral blood findings.
Glucose
Fasting serum glucose — the primary screen for diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Blood urea nitrogen — a kidney filtration marker; elevated with dehydration or renal impairment.
Creatinine
Muscle waste product filtered by the kidneys; used to estimate GFR.
eGFR
Estimated glomerular filtration rate — the best single-number indicator of kidney function, calculated from creatinine using CKD-EPI.
BUN/Creatinine Ratio
The ratio of BUN to creatinine; helps distinguish pre-renal from intrinsic kidney causes of elevated BUN.
Sodium
Primary extracellular cation; regulates fluid balance and nerve/muscle function.
Potassium
Primary intracellular cation; critical for heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling.
Chloride
The main anion that balances sodium; used to evaluate acid-base and electrolyte status.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Serum bicarbonate reflecting the body's acid-base reserve; low values can indicate metabolic acidosis.
Calcium
Total serum calcium; critical for bone density, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling.
Protein, Total
Total serum protein (albumin + globulins); reflects overall nutritional status and liver and immune function.
Albumin
The most abundant serum protein; reflects liver synthetic function, nutrition, and systemic inflammation.
Globulin
Calculated globulin fraction (total protein minus albumin); includes immunoglobulins, clotting factors, and transport proteins.
Albumin/Globulin Ratio
The A/G ratio; a low ratio (reversed) can indicate autoimmune disease, liver disease, or malignancy.
Bilirubin, Total
The breakdown product of haemoglobin; elevated in liver disease, haemolysis, or bile duct obstruction.
Alkaline Phosphatase
Enzyme produced in liver and bone; elevated in cholestasis, bone disease, and pregnancy.
AST
Aspartate aminotransferase — liver and muscle enzyme; elevated with hepatocellular damage or intense exercise.
ALT
Alanine aminotransferase — the most specific liver enzyme; elevated in hepatitis, fatty liver, and medication toxicity.
hs-CRP
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein — the most sensitive blood measure of systemic low-grade inflammation.
Order this panel if any of these fit.
- 1You have heavy or prolonged periods, fibroids, or are postpartum
- 2You're plant-forward, vegetarian or vegan
- 3You take metformin, PPIs or oral contraceptives (all deplete B12 and/or iron)
- 4You have unexplained fatigue, hair shedding, restless legs or brittle nails
Three steps, no waiting room.
Choose your panel and complete a 2-minute intake. We schedule your lab visit or at-home phlebotomy appointment right after checkout.
Choose a Quest Diagnostics lab visit or have a certified phlebotomist come to you (available in select ZIP codes at checkout). Draws take about 8 minutes.
Results in 5–7 days - a plain-language report with research-backed ranges for women and flags on anything that warrants follow-up. Share with your own clinician for interpretation.
Things people ask before ordering.
Serum iron swings hour to hour with what you ate. Ferritin reflects what's actually stored. A 'normal' iron with ferritin under 30 is functional iron deficiency in disguise.
Claims on this page are grounded in peer-reviewed research and society guidelines.
- [1]WHO: Nutritional Anaemias — Tools for Effective Prevention and Control.WHO, 2017
- [2]Killip S et al. Iron Deficiency Anemia.Am Fam Physician, 2007
- [3]Vaucher P et al. Effect of iron supplementation on fatigue in nonanemic menstruating women with low ferritin.CMAJ, 2012
- [4]Stabler SP. Vitamin B12 Deficiency.NEJM, 2013
EllaDx panels are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. All results are reviewed by a licensed physician. Always consult a qualified clinician about changes to your care.