Description
With our at-home iron test you can monitor the levels of iron stored in your body and circulating in your bloodstream. Iron is important for blood cells and the transport of oxygen in your body. Get your results in 2 to 4 days.
What's tested?
- Iron
- Ferritin
- Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC)
- Transferrin Saturation
What is an iron test?
Iron studies can tell you about your levels of the key element iron, as well as how it is being used, stored and transported by your body. Iron is an essential nutrient that is vital in the formation of haemoglobin in your red blood cells, which enables oxygen to be carried around your body.
Iron is stored in the body attached to ferritin, so measuring ferritin is an indicator of iron stores.
Iron is transported around the body by transferrin, when there are low iron levels in the body, less of the transferrin is being used, so there is a lower transferrin saturation, and the opposite is true, so there will be more unused transferrin in the bloodstream (UIBC).
TIBC is a measure of total ferritin in the body that may be used by iron for transport (including what is being used and what isn’t currently being used). Long term anaemia (low iron) results in less ferritin being produced, which will reduce the TIBC.
Where there is insufficient iron available, the formation of red blood cells is affected, leading to anaemia.
You should take this test
If you are experiencing symptoms of anaemia including fatigue, weakness, headaches, heart palpitations, leg pains, dizziness or shortness of breath. Low iron levels are a common cause of anaemia and can be caused by insufficient intake of iron through food such as red meat and excessive loss of iron through bleeding in people with heavy periods or bowel cancer.
You may also take the test if you suspect you have too much iron; often this is associated with a family history of haemochromatosis, or symptoms such as loss of libido, fatigue, weakness, cessation of periods and greyish skin discoloration. Haemochromatosis can be caused by excessive iron in the diet and supplementation, or by genetic factors such as hereditary haemochromatosis.
The way the body stores, transports, uses and loses iron is complex, so any result needs to be assessed with a full clinical assessment by a healthcare professional, alongside examination and a review of your medical history.
If your results are high, or low, or you have any symptoms of aneamia or iron disorders, you should seek a full medical review with your doctor.
You should take the test if you:
- Suffer from an iron deficiency
- Suffer from or have a family history of hemochromatosis
- Follow a vegetarian or vegan diet
- Frequently donate blood
- Suffer from fatigue, low energy or low mood
What’s included in an iron test kit?
Our iron test kits (part of our general wellness and energy screen), measure Iron and Ferritin levels in your blood, and include:
- A finger prick kit and vials for blood collection
- A clear set of instructions
- A pre-paid, self-adhesive shipping label
- Results from an accredited lab within 3 days of receipt
- Access to your own online dashboard to view your detailed results