At home iron test

What is iron?

Iron is an important mineral. Our body does not produce iron on its own, but obtains it from our diet. It is necessary to produce hemoglobin, which allows for the transport of oxygen throughout the body.

What is iron deficiency?

Iron deficiency usually manifests as anemia, also known as “anemia” in medical jargon. A deficiency of iron in the blood leads to a deficiency of hemoglobin, which is equivalent to anemia. 

A low result on an iron test can have several causes:

• a lack of iron-rich foods.
• A reduced ability to absorb iron from the diet.
• a loss of iron.

The last category, “loss of iron,” is the most common cause of iron deficiency. Loss of iron usually occurs due to chronic blood loss. This can be harmless, as a result of heavy menstruation in women of reproductive age, or less harmless, for example due to bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract caused by a tumor. There are also other causes for loss of iron, such as chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, or malignancy.

What is the link between iron and transferrin, iron and hemoglobin or iron and ferritin deficiency?

Iron in “free form” occurs in the body only in very low concentrations. In the blood, iron is largely bound to a transport protein called transferrin.

Iron that is not used immediately is stored in the liver thanks to the binding protein ferritin. So deficiency of ferritin and excess of transferin are also interesting values to measure in an iron deficiency test.

Low iron levels can lead to hemoglobin deficiency, or anemia.

How can iron deficiency be seen in blood values?

With an Easly iron test, you can very easily measure everyone’s iron levels (female/male).

Women in the fertile phase of life need higher iron levels than men because they lose more iron through menstruation. Pregnant women also need more iron, necessary for the production of extra blood during pregnancy. If the iron level at the beginning of pregnancy deviates greatly from the iron normal value, an iron supplement may be necessary, as the iron supply is replenished through the diet only very slowly.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

The most common symptoms of low iron are:

• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Pale skin
• Wounds at the corners of the mouth (ragads)
• Friable nails with grooves
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• A burning sensation and redness of tongue mucosa.

Why test your iron levels and when?

Our self-administered test allows you to collect a small blood sample via a finger prick, preferably in the morning before your first meal. You can then send the sample to our laboratory for comprehensive analysis. Within 48 hours of receiving the sample, we will provide you with accurate results, allowing you to determine whether you are iron deficient and take appropriate steps to manage your condition.

It is important to note that iron deficiency can have serious health consequences if left untreated, including anemia, impaired immune function, and developmental delays in children. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and address this condition as early as possible. With our convenient and reliable at-home iron test, you can take control of your health and well-being.