Compare the leading brands testing Iron Function

Exhausted? Short of Breath? Health Palpitations? These are just some of the symptoms that your body could be lacking in iron. Book your Health Test today with a medical profession to discover answers and total peace of mind.

Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. It’s a key ingredient in making hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to the muscles. Iron is also used in making hormones, which are important for regulating your body and its function.

The lack of Iron in the body can lead to anaemia. The Iron Status health test will check the levels of iron in your blood to help you optimise your health and if necessary, make dietary or lifestyle changes.

What are the symptoms of a lack of Iron?

• Extreme fatigue.
• Weakness
• Pale skin.
• Chest pain, fast heartbeat, or shortness of breath.
• Headache, dizziness, or light-headedness.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Inflammation or soreness of your tongue.
• Brittle nails.

Why is it recommended to test for Iron?

If you feel tried, lethargic, or washed out, or have several of the symptoms of a lack of iron, this health test can identify your iron levels, particularly if you feel you may be deficient due to lifestyle or diet. Iron deficiency can also be caused by heavy periods.

Low iron levels can be improved through diet, including eating more dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and curly kale, cereals, dried fruit and pulses. Avoiding tea and coffee, dairy products, or foods with high levels of phytic acid, which limits iron absorption, can also help to increase iron levels.

How do I get tested for Iron?

You can measure Iron levels with a simple blood test. The blood test will measure the amount of iron in your blood, in addition to the biomarkets for Transferrin Saturation and Ferritin. Get tested for Iron today..

• Iron – The iron level is a measure of the circulating iron in the blood. This tells you the state of your existing iron reserves, with too much iron indicating disorders of iron storage, or low levels indicating iron deficiency.
• Transferrin saturation – This is a measure of iron storage in your body, with the higher the number the greater the amount of iron stored. This can indicate excess iron storage which can lead to conditions such as haemochromatosis, or iron deficiency.
• Ferritin – ferritin is a protein found in your blood which carries iron, and can tell you how much iron is being stored and carried around the body. High levels of ferritin can indicate excess iron, whilst low levels indicate iron deficiency. Ferritin can also be raised due to inflammation in the body.

Key points:

• If you feel tried, lethargic, or washed out, this could be due to a lack of iron.
• Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. It’s a key ingredient in making hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to the muscles.
• Get tested for peace of mind and to find the answer to any symptoms you may have.

How a Sample is Taken

With most health tests, there are two options for taking a sample of blood, which is used to test for certain biomarkers. The two most common options are a finger-prick or venous draw:

Finger prick Draw:
Health Tests that take blood via the ‘finger-prick’ method are usually done within the comfort of your own home, enabling you to take a small amount of blood discreetly and conveniently when you want to.  

Venous Draw:
Once you have booked your health test, you’ll be sent the blood kit which includes all the equipment needed for a professional blood draw by an experienced healthcare professional, with clinics available across the UK to take your sample.

Details about which option is available for this health test, are available when you compare the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How severe is a low level of Iron?

  It is rare for a low level of iron to be a direct cause of death, but it can cause life-changing and affecting symptoms, including extreme fatigue, weakness, chest pain, fast heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

• How common is Iron anemia?

  It is estimated that anemia affects more than two billion people globally, which is more than 30% of the world’s population. Many people misattribute symptoms relating to a lack of iron to other conditions, and so it often goes untreated.

• What happens if I take too much iron?

  It is possible to have too much iron in your body, especially if you take high doses of iron through supplements. Symptoms of a high iron level include:

  • constipation
  • feeling sick
  • being sick
  • stomach pain

  Very high doses of iron can be fatal, particularly if taken by children, so always keep iron supplements out of the reach of children.

• What are good sources of Iron?

  Good sources of Iron include: Dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach and curly kale, liver and red meat, beans (such as red kidney beans, edamame beans and chickpeas), nuts, dried fruit, fortified breakfast cereals and soy bean flour.

• Are there weird signs of an Iron Deficiency?

  Yes, difficulty sleeping, swollen tongue, anxiety, nail abnormalities and wanting to eat ice are all symptoms of a lack of iron.