Home ferritin test kits
- Ferritin (iron) blood test kits to test for iron deficiency at home
- Simple finger prick test to identify if your blood ferritin (iron) level is low
- Simple home test for iron deficiency
- Buy on their own or as part of our "tired all the time" screening package.
- Finger prick blood test kit that is used to check for iron deficiency at home
What is a home ferritin test?
A home ferritin test kit is a screening blood test for low ferritin levels (iron levels) in your blood that measures the level of ferritin in a fingerprick blood sample. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and a ferritin test is often used to assess iron levels in the blood. This test kit allows you to check your iron levels in your blood at home.
The ferritin test is often used to diagnose and monitor iron-deficiency anaemia, a condition that occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron to produce haemoglobin. This can happen due to poor dietary intake of iron, chronic bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract or menstruation, or other underlying medical conditions.
In addition to diagnosing and monitoring iron deficiency which can lead to anaemia, the ferritin test can also be used to monitor iron levels in people who have conditions that affect iron absorption or metabolism, such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic kidney disease, or liver disease. If the ferritin test results show low levels of ferritin, this may indicate iron-deficiency anaemia or other conditions that affect iron metabolism.
What's included in a home ferritin test kit?
Home ferritin test kits are available for people who want to monitor their iron levels at home. These kits usually include a lancet, a dropper, and a test strip or cassette that allows users to collect a small sample of blood from their finger and test their ferritin levels.
How do you perform the ferritin test at home?
To use a home ferritin test kit, the user pricks their finger with a lancet to obtain a small drop of blood. The blood is then placed onto the test cassette using the dropper provided in the kit. The result on the test cassette is then read after several minutes.
How accurate are the results of the home ferritin test?
It's important to note that home ferritin test kits may not be as accurate as laboratory tests, and results may vary depending on the user's technique, the quality of the test kit, and other factors. Home test kits may also have a limited range of detection or may not be able to detect very low or very high ferritin levels, but they are a good screening tool.
What do I do if the ferritin level on the home test is low?
If a home ferritin test kit indicates that a user's ferritin levels are low, it's important to consult with your GP or other healthcare provider for further blood testing and evaluation. Low ferritin levels may indicate iron-deficiency anaemia or other conditions that affect iron metabolism, and a healthcare provider can perform additional tests and examination and recommend the appropriate treatment. Overall, home ferritin test kits can be a useful tool for people who want to monitor their iron levels at home, but they should not be relied upon as a substitute for laboratory testing or medical advice from a healthcare provider.
