Why do nurses check iron level?

Iron levels are checked to rule out anaemia, which is a lack of iron in the blood. Iron is used to transport oxygen in blood, and so is extremely important.

There are many possible causes of anaemia, including chronic blood loss. In the context of intestinal health, blood loss high up in the intestinal tract may not be detected by the patient, as the blood will turn brown or black by the time it exits the rectum. Intestinal bleeding can have many causes, but a clinical check for anaemia is the quickest and easiest way to detect the possibility of it.