How many days to stop iron supplement before iron blood test?

[Dolansan]

hello,

Im currently taking iron supplements (50mg - Thorn) and I will need to get my blood iron tests done soon. Does anyone know how long is it best to stop taking supplements before the test? Thank you!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I have read somewhere 5-7 days; however, labtestsonline say 24 hours:

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

Test Preparation Needed?

Your doctor may request that you fast for 12 hours prior to some iron blood tests. In this case, only water is permitted. You should not take any iron tablets for 24 hours before the test. Iron is absorbed rapidly from food or tablets, and can make your blood iron levels falsely high.

Don't forget that the result will show the effect of you taking an iron supplement not what your level would be without.

[Dolansan in reply to SeasideSusie]

thanks Susie. I think I read that somewhere to but could not find it. Which is why I thought to ask. I’m god it wasn’t my imagination reading that.

[humanbean]

I always test iron and ferritin with a gap of 5 - 7 days, as Susie says. I would also fast in exactly the same way I would for a thyroid function test, and would have the blood taken at the same time as I would for a TFT.

This is my personal choice. But whatever rules people follow they should be consistent from test to test so that like is being compared to like.

[Dolansan in reply to humanbean]

thanks humanbean!

[Batty1]

I read article that said you shouldn’t eat meat 2 days before iron test and you should fast …. I can’t locate the article but I will do the no meat eating for 2 days prior to my iron test to see what the results would be. My last iron test I did eat a hamburger the night before my level was higher then last time but that could be the iron tablets.

[Dolansan in reply to Batty1]

I had no idea about the no meat 2 days before test. Just red meat or any type of meat? My ferritin was higher than last time (a month ago) but I felt worse than before. I did consume meat a day prior.

[Batty1 in reply to Dolansan]

I believe its red meat but I can’t be sure