You may have heard the term anemia and refer to it simultaneously as iron deficiency—but the two conditions have clinical differences. Iron deficiency (ID) is defined as the decrease in the total content of iron2 in the body. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) occurs when iron deficiency is severe enough to reduce the production of red blood cells. And while, yes, they are clinically different, iron deficiency can be a precursor to iron-deficient anemia. ID may be the result of either excessive blood loss or decreased absorption and storage of iron. This fine balance of iron input and output is easily disturbed by either excessive output such as bleeding or decreased intake through a diet low in iron-rich foods. A simple blood test can determine the levels of iron and ferritin (iron stored in your body). However, asking your health care provider to order iron tests can be time-consuming and expensive, as you’ll often need to travel to a costly lab to have your blood drawn and then wait for your doctor to relay your results. As a remedy to this often costly, lengthy process, at-home lab testing is becoming more and more commonplace. People can now order tests from the comfort of their homes, mail in the samples, and receive results within days—all for a flat rate. Keep reading to find out the best at-home iron deficiency tests we’ve found and to learn more about why iron is an important nutrient. Iron is essential for healthy brain development and growth in children as well, along with the normal functioning of various cells and hormones. A lack of iron affects the number of red blood cells carrying oxygen to essential organs like the brain and heart. Being deficient in iron can cause a myriad of symptoms and can lead to iron-deficient anemia. Causes of low iron: When diets in the U.S. became more processed, more Americans became iron deficient. The prevalence of iron-fortified foods began in 19403 as a way to combat the rise of anemia in the U.S. Common symptoms of low iron: Iron supplementation comes in different forms, based on the root cause of your deficiency—which could be a myriad of things, including low iron intake, trouble storing iron, issues transporting iron to your organs, or a dysfunction in absorption. Depending on the determined cause, your health care provider may recommend one or more of the following actions: Although these tests are a convenient and less expensive starting point, ferritin testing only gives you a glimpse of how iron is stored in your body. For instance, you could be eating a diet very high in iron, but your ferritin levels are still low. If you do not complete further testing, you would assume by the low ferritin number that you are not getting enough iron, whereas in reality your body is simply not absorbing it effectively. With that being said, testing your ferritin can give you a basic understanding of how much iron your body currently has stored. The at-home tests are easy, quick, and a good starting point for discussing symptoms or concerns with your health care provider. Typically, if your iron test result is just on the cusp of abnormal, you can make small dietary changes to increase your iron levels. However, if your levels are very low you may need to take an iron supplement. It’s important to speak with a doctor to get a better understanding of why your levels are low and how to proceed from there. Equally important, you would not want to start taking a significant amount of iron supplements without consulting a doctor, as too much iron can cause other issues. It’s important to note that this company is based in the U.K., so its standards for “normal” may differ from the U.S. That said, this test could be another good jumping-off point if you are experiencing symptoms or concerns and want to get a better idea of whether or not you’re deficient before going to see your doctor. The brand is clear in its instructions to use the test before 9 a.m., after fasting for six to eight hours. According to the website, results will be ready any time from two to seven business days. Cerascreen is very transparent in explaining that the test result values are not meant for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. If pregnant or breastfeeding, your results will still reveal an accurate level, but the test may mark them as abnormal when they actually could be normal based on your iron needs during this time. You will need to do your own research on normal levels for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers or discuss it further with your health care provider. This company does not offer any type of follow-up to discuss your results. While the company does provide general recommendations based on results, it’s important to recognize that these will not be specific to you and your individual circumstances—so if you do receive abnormal results or are experiencing symptoms or concerns, it is best that you schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss and potentially run additional tests. The drawback of at-home iron testing is that, at this time, the only option is to test only your ferritin levels. The total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is another element of iron testing that is not available for home-testing, along with serum iron. Getting a full picture of iron deficiency takes more than one test—so a visit to your doctor is always recommended. Steele also points out that those who are minorities or from Indigenous backgrounds are more prone to iron deficiencies, and, if it suits their budgets, at-home testing could offer these groups access to care. It is important to remember that symptoms also play a role in diagnosing iron deficiency. If your results reveal low ferritin levels, it’s imperative to discuss possible treatment with a health care provider. Overdosing on iron supplements can be extremely harmful to your health. If you are on TikTok, you may have heard of the coin or ring trick to diagnose an iron deficiency. The premise behind this trick is that if the coin or ring leaves a black mark on your face, you are iron deficient. Unfortunately, this viral trend is not scientifically supported, and experts presume the blackened mark is caused by either 1. A metallic object chemically reacting with makeup or 2. A mechanical remnant from the object. As mentioned, the best way to diagnose an iron deficiency is through lab testing with your doctor.
