An estimated10 million people in the U.S1.
are iron deficient, with another 5 million meeting the criteria for iron deficiency anemia.
The best iron deficiency tests:
What is an iron deficiency?
You may have heard the termanemiaand refer to it simultaneously asiron deficiencybut the two conditions have clinical differences.
ID may be the result of either excessive blood loss or decreased absorption and storage of iron.
What is iron?
Iron is a mineral that isessential for our bodies to function.
Most importantly, it is part of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen throughout our body.
Being deficient in iron can cause a myriad of symptoms and can lead to iron-deficient anemia.
Foods contain two types of iron,hemeandnon-heme.
Heme iron comes from meat, fish, and poultry.
Heme iron is much more easily absorbed compared to non-heme.
Non-heme iron is found in plant-based foods such as nuts, fruits, and vegetablesbut at much lower levels.
When diets in the U.S. became more processed, more Americans became iron deficient.
Low iron levels have a cascade of symptoms stemming from a basic lack of oxygen to your organs.
First, discuss the results of your at-home or traditional lab tests with your health care provider.
How does an at-home test measure iron?
At this time, at-home tests only offer ferritin testing.
As mentioned, this is the amount of iron stored in the body.
We refer to this as CLIA-certified.
At-home testing is only truly convenient if it’s quicker than going to a lab.
We looked for tests that will offer you speedier results.
We included options for both.
The test does not offer a quantitative number to show how low or high your levels are.
However, if your levels are very low you may need to take an iron supplement.
As mentioned, this only gives a small window into your iron levels.
According to the website, results will be ready any time from two to seven business days.
Blood Sugar Testby Cerascreen
This at-home ferritin test offers a detailed result report through a secure portal.
The simple finger-prick sample method is quick and easy for almost any adult to conduct.
Cerascreen is very transparent in explaining that the test result values are not meant for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
This company does not offer any throw in of follow-up to discuss your results.
Who should use an at-home iron deficiency test?
At-home tests are convenient and cost effective for each of these purposes.
FAQ
Can you test your iron levels at home?
Yes, sort of.
It is important to remember that symptoms also play a role in diagnosing iron deficiency.
Overdosing on iron supplements can be extremely harmful to your health.
Can you self-diagnose iron deficiency?
The short answer isno.
You might even need a further specialty referral to include evaluation from a hematologist specialist.
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.
