Iron
The optimal range for Iron (Serum Iron) is commonly cited as 80–130 μg/dL, tighter than the standard lab reference range of 60–170 μg/dL. Circulating iron - must be interpreted with ferritin, TIBC, and transferrin saturation, not in isolation.
How Iron ranges relate
The standard lab range vs the optimization-focused target. Illustrative trajectory shows what a 12-week improvement pattern looks like — not real user data.
What Iron Measures
Serum iron measures transferrin-bound iron in circulation. It fluctuates substantially through the day (peaks morning, lower evening) and with recent intake. Alone it is nearly useless - it must be interpreted with ferritin (storage iron) and TIBC/transferrin saturation (carrying capacity).
The useful picture is the full iron panel: ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation together.
What Affects This Biomarker
Serum iron is influenced by: recent intake (rises after supplementation), time of day (higher AM), menstruation (drops women), GI losses, inflammation (drops during acute illness), and hemolysis (rises). Never interpret an isolated value.
In the Context of Peptide Protocols
Always order as a full iron panel. Fasting morning draw preferred for consistency. Retest 12 weeks after any supplementation change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Iron measure?
Serum iron measures transferrin-bound iron in circulation. It fluctuates substantially through the day (peaks morning, lower evening) and with recent intake. Alone it is nearly useless - it must be interpreted with ferritin (storage iron) and TIBC/transferrin saturation (carrying capacity).
What is the optimal range for Iron?
The optimal range for Iron is commonly cited as 80–130 μg/dL. The standard lab reference range is 60–170 μg/dL.
What affects Iron levels?
Serum iron is influenced by: recent intake (rises after supplementation), time of day (higher AM), menstruation (drops women), GI losses, inflammation (drops during acute illness), and hemolysis (rises). Never interpret an isolated value.
Where This Fits in Your Panel
Iron is one marker on a fuller panel. The Peptide Blood Work Checklist lays out the complete baseline panel, what to add by protocol type, and when to retest.
See the full blood work checklist →Upload any lab PDF and MyProtocolStack maps your values to Iron and 40+ other biomarkers. StackAI interprets the trend in context of your protocol.
Start tracking →Last reviewed: June 2026
Informational only - not medical advice. Reference ranges vary by lab and individual context. Work with a licensed provider to interpret your specific results.