Iron Blood Test

Our easy finger-prick iron test checks several biomarkers to give you a full picture of your iron levels. As the iron level in your blood fluctuates daily, based on the iron you get from your diet, this test also measures ferritin — a protein used to store iron in your body. Ferritin is almost always the best measure of your iron status as it’s more stable.

Low iron levels are most commonly caused by blood loss, such as heavy periods or internal bleeding (often in the digestive tract). You're at greater risk if you regularly take steroids, blood thinners, or drugs like ibuprofen. Other causes of iron deficiency include pregnancy, a low-iron diet, or bowel conditions like coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Iron is an essential mineral that’s needed to make haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that helps transport oxygen around your body. It also plays an important role in supporting your immune system, maintaining energy levels, and regulating body temperature.

When your iron level is low, you can feel tired and be more susceptible to illnesses and infections. And a severe lack of iron could lead to iron deficiency anaemia, which causes fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

Your iron levels fluctuate daily according to your diet. For this reason, ferritin, a measure of your iron stores, is often a more useful marker of your iron status.

For everyone, a ferritin level less than 30 micrograms/L confirms iron deficiency. However, this threshold may be higher in people with chronic inflammatory conditions, where ferritin levels may be falsely raised.

If your iron levels are too low, your body may struggle to carry enough oxygen to the tissues. This can lead to iron deficiency anaemia and symptoms such as tiredness, low energy, and shortness of breath. Depending on the cause, you may require iron supplements or injections to bring your iron levels back into a healthy range.

Too much iron can also cause health problems. It may be caused by taking too many iron supplements, excess iron in your diet, or an inherited condition called haemochromatosis. Over time, excess iron is stored in your liver and other organs. This build-up can cause heart problems, joint pain, and liver disease. However, there are treatments which can reduce the amount of iron in your body and lessen the risk of long-term damage.

If your diet is contributing to low iron levels, you can try eating iron-rich foods like dark-green, leafy vegetables and meat (if it’s in your diet). Drinking citrus juices alongside a meal including green leafy vegetables can also help improve absorption.

If you eat a plant-based diet, read our guide on nutrition for more plant-based sources of iron. Sometimes, you may need a supplement to boost your levels, and you should carefully follow any treatment advice your GP gives you.

We’ll send you everything you need to test your iron levels at home, including our easy finger-prick iron test kit and a pre-paid return envelope for your sample. Our at-home iron test includes a full lab analysis of your blood sample, doctor’s advice and any next steps.

The main difference between iron and ferritin is that iron is a mineral (present in the red blood cells that carry oxygen) and ferritin is a protein that stores iron and releases it when the body needs it. So, even though they aren’t the same, they work together.

Premenopausal women are at greater risk of iron deficiency compared to men due to pregnancy and menstruation. During pregnancy, mother and baby will need a lot more iron to make red blood cells, which can deplete iron stores leading to anaemia. Heavy periods also increase the risk of low female iron levels due to blood loss, so it’s important to look out for any symptoms of a deficiency.

Iron overload syndrome, or haemochromatosis, is an inherited condition that causes your body to absorb too much iron. A build-up of iron can cause symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and muscle weakness. And if left untreated, this can lead to health issues including liver damage. Our Iron Overload (Haemochromatosis) Blood Test can help you check for the condition if you have a family member with haemochromatosis, or if you’re experiencing symptoms.