How Do I Check My Iron Level?

Iron Level

Healthy iron levels are essential for a healthy life.

If you have clicked on this article, you are probably wondering, how do I check my iron level?

Well, we will outline a few key facts about iron deficiency and checking iron levels in this article, which we hope you find informative.

Why does the body need iron?

Iron is an important mineral which is needed for energy, immune function and maintaining healthy blood. Children need iron to meet their nutritional needs, as it is vital for their growth and development.

Our bodies need iron because it plays a pivotal role in oxygen transportation. Iron binds to a protein called haemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues from the lungs.

Why should I check my iron level?

It is worth keeping an eye on your iron levels. You may be deficient in iron (anaemic) without even realising it.

If you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t make enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells. So, your body will struggle to cope without these stores of iron. Your lungs and heart will have to work harder to supply the oxygen that the body needs, so you will feel more fatigued and short of breath.

Low iron may also make you more susceptible to illnesses and infections because a lack of iron affects the body’s natural defence system (the immune system).

What are the signs of iron deficiency?

Here are the symptoms to look out for:

Tiredness or fatigue
Feeling weak
Low energy or lethargy
Pale skin
Frequent headaches
Dry or damaged hair
Hair loss
If you are constantly feeling cold
Cold hands
Dry or damaged skin
Brittle fingernails, which chip and crack easily
More frequent infections
Depression
Trouble concentrating
Lack of appetite
Shortness of breath
Sore muscles
Cracks at the corner of the mouth
Soreness in the tongue
Unusual cravings
Restless legs
Bruising easily
Developmental delays and behavioural problems in children

Iron Deficiency Test

So, how do I check my iron level?

Here at Official Rapid Tests, we sell an Instant Iron Deficiency Test, which you can take from the comfort of your home.

This is a self-administered finger-prick test, with easy-to-follow instructions and all the test kit materials provided.

Inside your test kit box, you will find:

a test cassette
a buffer
an alcohol pad
a capillary dropper
a lancet

Simply follow the instructions provided, to take the test correctly, and the test will measure the levels of anaemia in your blood.

We will inform you via email of our full instructions on how to take your test and send the kit back to our accredited lab for analysis. Once your results and personalised report are ready to view, you will receive a notification via email to log in to the Official Rapid Test online platform.

Using an at-home test kit is convenient if you have a busy lifestyle. It means you don’t have to wait weeks to get your iron levels checked at your GP.

You can carry out the test at home and find out almost instantly if you are deficient in iron- which means you can start taking the steps to boost your iron levels.

Click here to purchase our Instant Iron Deficiency Test and get yourself tested for iron deficiency today.

Important Advice

If your results are outside the normal range and are of concern, it is a priority that you contact your local GP or emergency service by calling 111 or 999.

Please note: If you feel sick, unwell or are concerned about your health, it is your responsibility to get in touch with the emergency services as soon as possible, do not wait for results to be issued.

Disclaimer: If your test range is abnormal, we will not be held responsible for follow-up treatments or notifying a healthcare professional, by taking a test with us, you agree that you will take the necessary steps to follow up with a healthcare provider independently.

How much iron do I need per day?

According to the NHS, the amount of iron adults need is:

7 mg a day for men over 18
8 mg a day for women aged 19 to 50
7 mg a day for women over 50

Pregnant women need around 27 mg of iron per day.

How much iron do children need per day?

Read this chart below to see how much iron children need per day:

Child’s age	How much iron do they need daily?
7 to 12 months old	11 mg
1 to 3 years old	7 mg
4 to 8 years old	10 mg
9 to 13 years old	8 mg
Teenage boys	11 mg
Teenage girls	15 mg

Can I donate blood if my iron is low?

If you want to become a blood donor, but your iron level is low, then you will be asked to wait until your iron level has returned to normal again, before making your donation.

Are there any foods which decrease the body’s absorption of iron?

There are certain foods and drinks which decrease iron absorption in the body. For instance, tea, coffee, and wine contain tannins which reduce your body’s ability to absorb iron.

Also, dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese, and milk interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron. What’s more, corn, rice, oats and wheat bran cereals can decrease the absorption of iron.

What foods are rich in iron?

Iron-rich foods include:

green vegetables
red meat such as beef and lamb
eggs
legumes such as lentils
seafood such as salmon, haddock and oysters
whole wheat bread & bran cereals
figs, dates, prunes and apricots
pumpkin seeds and flax seeds
almonds
spirulina

How do you treat iron deficiency?

To treat iron deficiency, you can take iron tablets. These can be prescribed to you by your doctor.

If you suspect you are deficient in iron (anaemic), you can ask your GP for a blood test. They will check if your red blood cell count is normal. If the test shows that your red blood cell count is low, then your GP will prescribe you iron tablets and advise you on how to take them.

You should never take iron tablets if you have not been advised to by your doctor.

Never take more than the recommended dosage of iron tablets, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you take too many iron supplements, this can damage your cells and even lead to serious symptoms such as iron poisoning. For this reason, it is especially important to keep iron tablets away from children.

About Official Rapid Tests

At Official Rapid Tests, we are a UK Government listed testing provider. We are a team of medical industry experts, with a combined experience of 40 years in the testing, diagnostic and medical services sector.

Click here to purchase our Instant Iron Deficiency Test, which you can use to identify whether you are anaemic.

With our services, it couldn’t be easier for you to test yourself (or your loved ones) for Covid-19. All you have to do is buy one of our Covid tests, which can be delivered the next day. Alternatively, book a Covid test at one of our test centres, as we have over 120 clinics all over the UK.

Our Covid tests are perfect for using as proof that you have negative Covid status if you are travelling. With every negative result, you will receive a signed note from one of our doctors, declaring that you are Covid-free and fit to travel.

To book a Covid Test with us at your nearest test centre, click here.

We sell a Rapid Antigen Test, Video Supervised Lateral Flow Test and a Covid Recovery Certificate, which you can use as proof that you are fit to travel abroad.

If you are not sure what kind of Covid Test you need, then click here to take our quiz. This will tell you which type of Covid test is suitable based on your travel requirements.

We are open 24/7, seven days a week, for test results.

We hope you now have the answer to the question ‘how do I check my iron level?’

Read more articles on travelling and Covid tests on our blog here.

How Do I Check My Iron Level?

Why does the body need iron?

Why should I check my iron level?

What are the signs of iron deficiency?