Low Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC) Test: Causes, Inflammation, Liver Disease, and Meaning
A low total iron-binding capacity, or low TIBC, usually means the blood has less transferrin available to carry iron. Transferrin is a liver-made protein...
Low Transferrin Blood Test: Causes, Inflammation, Liver Disease, and Meaning
Transferrin is the main protein that carries iron through the blood. A low transferrin result usually means the body has less iron-transport capacity than...
Low Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) Test: Causes, Iron Deficiency, Anemia, and Meaning
Low transferrin saturation, often shortened to low TSAT, means only a small share of the iron-carrying protein transferrin is carrying iron in the blood....
Low Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity (UIBC) Test: Causes, Iron Overload, and Meaning
A low unsaturated iron-binding capacity, or low UIBC, means there is less unused transferrin available to bind iron in your blood. Transferrin is the...
Low Vitamin A (Retinol) Test: Causes, Deficiency, Symptoms, and Meaning
A low vitamin A test usually means the blood level of retinol, the main circulating form of vitamin A, is below the lab’s reference...
Low Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate/PLP) Test: Causes, Deficiency, and Meaning
A low vitamin B6 blood test usually means the active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, is below the level your body needs for normal...
Low Vitamin B12 Blood Test: Causes, Deficiency, Anemia, and Meaning
A low vitamin B12 blood test means the amount of vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, in your blood is below the lab’s expected range....
Low Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) Test: Causes, Deficiency, and Meaning
A low vitamin E blood test means the measured alpha-tocopherol level in the blood is below the lab’s reference range. Alpha-tocopherol is the main...
Low Zinc Blood Test: Causes, Deficiency, Symptoms, and Meaning
A low zinc blood test means the measured zinc level in serum, plasma, or whole blood is below the laboratory’s reference range. Zinc is...
Magnesium Blood Test Normal Range: Reference Values and Meaning
A magnesium blood test measures how much magnesium is circulating in the liquid part of your blood, usually reported as serum magnesium. Magnesium helps...
Manganese Blood Test Normal Range: Reference Values and Meaning
A manganese blood test measures the amount of manganese, an essential trace mineral, circulating in the blood. The test is used most often when...
Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) Test: High MMA, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Normal Range, and Results
A methylmalonic acid test measures how much methylmalonic acid is in your blood or urine. MMA rises when cells do not have enough usable...
Molybdenum Blood Test Normal Range: Reference Values and Meaning
Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral that helps several enzymes handle sulfur-containing amino acids, purines, aldehydes, and some drug-related compounds. A molybdenum blood test...
Nutrient Deficiency Blood Test Panel: Vitamins, Minerals, Iron, B12, Vitamin D, and Results
A nutrient deficiency blood test panel looks for low, borderline, or occasionally excessive levels of vitamins, minerals, and related markers that affect energy, blood...
Osteocalcin Blood Test Normal Range: Reference Values and Meaning
Osteocalcin is a protein made mostly by osteoblasts, the cells that build new bone. A blood osteocalcin test gives a snapshot of bone formation...
Phosphorus Blood Test Normal Range: Reference Values and Meaning
A phosphorus blood test measures the amount of phosphate in your blood. Phosphate is the form of phosphorus your body uses for bone strength,...
PIVKA-II Test: Vitamin K Deficiency, Liver Disease, Bleeding Risk, and Results
PIVKA-II is an abnormal form of prothrombin, a blood-clotting protein made by the liver. The name stands for “protein induced by vitamin K absence...
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Folate Test: Low RBC Folate, Normal Range, Folate Deficiency, and Results
The red blood cell folate test measures how much folate, also called vitamin B9, is stored inside red blood cells. Folate helps the body...
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Magnesium Test: Low RBC Magnesium, Normal Range, Deficiency, and Results
The red blood cell magnesium test measures magnesium inside red blood cells, where magnesium is more closely tied to intracellular mineral status than magnesium...
Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content (CHr or RET-He) Test: Low RET-He, Iron Deficiency, Anemia, and Results
Reticulocyte hemoglobin content shows how much hemoglobin is inside your newest red blood cells. These young cells, called reticulocytes, leave the bone marrow only...