If you're experiencing persistent fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, or unexplained headaches, low iron levels could be a factor. This test is ideal for anyone wanting to check their iron stores, particularly those at higher risk of deficiency.

People at increased risk include:

• Vegans and vegetarians, as plant-based diets can sometimes lack sufficient iron.
• Pregnant women, due to increased iron demands.
• Those with heavy periods, as blood loss can deplete iron stores.
• Frequent blood donors, as regular donation lowers iron levels.
• Older adults, who may have reduced iron absorption.
• People with a family history of iron deficiency.

Everything you need to find out more about your iron levels is contained within this professional-grade kit. No lab analysis required!

Following the instructions correctly, you’ll get the highest possible level of accuracy with this test kit.

In clinical trials, this test has been shown to be 95.1% accurate, with a cut-off of 30 ng/mL.

To avoid an inaccurate result, store in a dry place at 2-30°C. Never eat, drink or smoke in the area where you’re conducting the test. Finally, ensure you observe the required 5-minute wait time.

Due to the way in which the test interacts with your immune system, false results are possible in rare cases. That’s why it’s so important to seek medical advice on receiving a positive result.

This test measures ferritin, a key protein responsible for storing and releasing iron in your blood. While it does not directly measure iron itself, ferritin acts as an iron reserve—your body relies on it to maintain healthy iron levels and ensure essential functions like oxygen transport and energy production.

When ferritin levels are low, it often indicates iron deficiency, meaning your body doesn’t have enough stored iron to meet its needs. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and weakness. However, iron deficiency doesn’t always cause anaemia, as other factors influence haemoglobin levels in the blood.

When ferritin levels are normal, it suggests that your body has an adequate supply of stored iron. However, this test does not measure other iron-related markers, such as:

• Serum iron – the actual amount of circulating iron in your blood.
• Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) – which indicates how well your blood can transport iron.
• Transferrin saturation – the percentage of transferrin (an iron-carrying protein) that is actively binding iron.

Because ferritin levels are an early indicator of iron deficiency, this test provides valuable insights before more severe symptoms develop. However, if your results suggest low ferritin, or if you’re experiencing persistent symptoms, you should consult a healthcare professional for further testing and personalised advice.

While this test is a useful tool for assessing your iron stores, there are certain situations where it may not provide accurate results.

• If you have an active infection, disease, or acute inflammation – Ferritin is also an acute-phase protein, meaning its levels can rise in response to inflammation, infection, or chronic illnesses. If you’re unwell or experiencing conditions such as arthritis, liver disease, or recent surgery, your results may not reflect your true iron levels.
• If you have a spleen or liver injury – Both organs play key roles in processing and storing ferritin, so any damage or dysfunction could affect your results. If you’ve had liver disease, cirrhosis, or a recent spleen injury, consult a doctor before taking the test.
• If you have a known iron metabolism disorder – Conditions like haemochromatosis (excessive iron absorption) or certain types of anaemia may cause misleading results. If you have a diagnosed blood or iron-related disorder, consult your doctor for appropriate testing.
• If you’ve recently had an iron infusion or taken high-dose supplements – Ferritin levels can temporarily spike following iron supplementation, which may not accurately reflect your body’s long-term iron stores. If you’re supplementing, wait at least a few weeks before testing for a more reliable result.

If you fall into any of these categories or have concerns about whether this test is right for you, speak to a healthcare professional before proceeding.

No, this test cannot diagnose anaemia—it can only indicate if your ferritin levels are low, which may suggest iron deficiency. However, not everyone with low iron stores will develop anaemia, and iron deficiency isn’t the only cause of anaemia.

Understanding Anaemia and Ferritin

Anaemia occurs when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type and happens when your body doesn’t have enough iron to produce haemoglobin. Ferritin is a key iron storage protein, and low ferritin levels often indicate depleted iron reserves.

This test measures ferritin levels in your blood, not haemoglobin or red blood cell count. A low ferritin result suggests that your iron stores are running low, which can be a sign of iron deficiency—but anaemia can only be diagnosed by a doctor after further testing.

Other Causes of Anaemia

There are several types of anaemia, and some may not be linked to iron deficiency. Other possible causes include:

• Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency – Common in people with pernicious anaemia, digestive disorders, or strict vegetarian/vegan diets.
• Chronic disease – Conditions such as kidney disease, cancer, or inflammatory disorders can lead to anaemia of chronic disease (ACD).
• Blood loss – Heavy menstrual bleeding, ulcers, or internal bleeding can cause anaemia over time.
• Bone marrow disorders – Conditions like aplastic anaemia affect red blood cell production.

Absolutely! In fact, this test is particularly beneficial during pregnancy, and is safe for both you and your baby.

You’re more likely to develop iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) if you’re pregnant. Estimates suggest that 20-30% of pregnant women in the UK have IDA, more than double the prevalence in the wider population. What’s more, the risks associated with low iron are far greater during pregnancy.

It’s vital to monitor your iron levels during pregnancy, helping you detect deficiency early. That way, you can approach your GP with confidence and receive the right treatment before any issues occur.

In simple terms, your body needs iron to produce haemoglobin, which allows your blood to carry oxygen. There are a range of potential causes, which vary from person to person depending on your personal health and lifestyle.

One of the most common causes is a lack of iron-rich foods in your diet. These include meat, seafood, lentils, nuts, beans, and dried fruits. If you’re vegan, tofu is a reliable source of iron. Vegetarians and vegans are more susceptible to anaemia, especially if you have an unbalanced diet.

In other cases, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can result in a loss of iron. Such bleeding may be caused by stomach ulcers: if you’re worried this may affect you, find out more about our Stomach Ulcer Home Rapid Test Kit for H-Pylori.

As you’ll need to prick your finger to collect your blood sample, you may feel slight discomfort, especially if you have a fear of blood.

As it’s a minimally-invasive test designed for your comfort, you’ll just feel a quick pinch, so nothing to worry about!

As with any at-home blood test, false negative results are a possibility. You can never know for certain that a negative result means you’re not anaemic.

That said, our tests are highly accurate, so a negative result would usually suggest your iron levels are normal. If you test negative but are still experiencing symptoms associated with iron deficiency or anaemia, consult your doctor immediately to rule out other conditions.

If you can’t see any lines on your test, this means you’ve got an invalid result. Your blood sample may have been too small, or you might not have followed the instructions correctly.

You’ll need to purchase another test kit and repeat the process again, ensuring you follow all steps correctly this time. If your second test result is still blank, discontinue use and contact our support team for assistance.