Why Iron Levels Could Be Secretly Harming Your Health

The best at-home iron test is convenient, affordable, and accurate. We chose Allergy Test Iron Deficiency Test as the best at-home option. Learn more below.

Having either hemochromatosis (too much iron) or iron deficiency anemia (too little iron) can cause unpleasant symptoms and have a serious impact on health. A simple iron test can help you figure out where you stand.

Usually, your doctor will order a lab test for you if they think it's necessary. However, you can also choose from some online iron testing services. Some are at-home tests, while others still require a lab visit after you purchase. Some may be covered by your health savings account (HSA) of flexible spending account (FSA) funds.

Keep in mind that you can have low or high iron for many reasons. Because of this, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about your results, even if you decide to use an at-home test or go to a lab without a doctor's order.

A quick look at the best iron deficiency tests

• At-home iron testing:Allergy Test Iron Deficiency Test | Skip to review
• In-person lab iron test:Labcorp Anemia Blood Test | Skip to review

What is iron?

Iron is an essential mineral found in every cell of the body. It's important to maintain adequate levels of it because iron produces hemoglobin, a protein found in your red blood cells, and it serves to transport oxygen to your organs and tissues. It also delivers carbon dioxide back from your organs and tissues to your lungs.

Low hemoglobin levels signify a low red blood cell count, also known as anemia, which can make you feel chronically tired and weak.Some labs and products may also test your levels of ferritin, which can be elevated in people with chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, cancer, and liver disease, says Soma Mandal, MD, a board certified internist at Summit Health in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

"However, ferritin should be used in conjunction with other tests, such as serum iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), to determine if you are truly iron deficient or too high in iron," Mandal said.

What do iron tests check?

There are several tests related to iron, each testing for something slightly different.

• TIBC test: The TIBC test checks whether you have too much or too little iron in your bloodstream. A doctor may order this test if they think you have anemia or too much iron in your blood, since both can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
• Serum iron test: A doctor will usually order a serum iron test as a follow-up if your initial testing reveals abnormal results. It checks for abnormally high or low blood iron levels. An abnormal result may indicate that you have an underlying health condition or have consumed too much iron.
• Ferritin test: The ferritin blood test checks the level of iron stored in your body. Both abnormally low and high ferritin levels can cause unpleasant symptoms, such as hair loss.

Iron vs. ferritin

What is too much or too little iron?

Iron deficiency

Iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia. It simply means that your body doesn't have enough of this all-important mineral.

One of the most common signs of iron deficiency is feeling very tired or low on energy. Other common symptoms include:

• weakness
• irritability
• difficulty concentrating
• skin that's paler than usual
• shortness of breath

You may think of tiredness as a universal fact of life. But one way to watch out for potentially low iron levels is to take note of whether you feel particularly weak and tired while exercising.

Iron overload

Hemochromatosis, or iron overload, is a condition where your body stores too much iron. This can be a result of either genetics or another issue, such as:

• alcohol dependence
• family history of diabetes
• heart disease
• liver disease
• use of iron or vitamin C supplements
• frequent blood transfusions

With hemochromatosis, the body isn't able to excrete excess iron. This excess iron can build up in the liver, heart, skin, joints, pancreas, and pituitary gland. It may lead to serious health concerns, including organ and tissue damage.

Symptoms of iron overload may include:

• fatigue
• weakness
• weight loss
• abdominal pain
• low sex drive
• joint pain
• bronze or gray skin color

How to interpret results from an at-home iron test

Serum iron

A high serum iron number means you have too much iron in your blood. Over time, having too much iron in your blood can lead to serious complications, such as diabetes, liver damage, and heart failure.

A low number means you lack iron, which may be due to your diet or because your body can't absorb it properly. Heavy periods can also cause iron deficiency.

TIBC

A high TIBC value usually means that you have low iron. That might be because you:

• don't consume enough iron in your diet
• are menstruating or have very heavy periods
• are pregnant

On the other hand, a low TIBC value means you have too much iron in your blood. This may be due to hemolytic anemia or iron poisoning. Other underlying medical conditions can also cause low TIBC values. Talk with your doctor if you notice high or low TIBC results.

Ferritin

If your results show low ferritin levels, you may have an iron deficiency. But a ferritin test isn't enough to confirm a diagnosis.

Talk with your doctor about your test results. They can help you interpret the data and may recommend further testing.

How we chose the best iron test

We reviewed each brand and product offering at-home iron tests based on our high quality standards. This includes checking the medical claims and accuracy of each product and looking into each company's best practices to make sure they align with industry standards.

We also did a deep dive into each company's reputation, reviewing its Better Business Bureau ratings and checking to see if it's been involved in any lawsuits.

In addition, we checked if each company provides help interpreting your iron test results, whether it makes any unacceptable health claims, and whether it uses accredited labs to process its test kits.

Healthline's picks for the best in-lab and at-home iron tests

Comparing iron deficiency tests

ProductPriceTypeProsConsAllergy Test Iron Deficiency TestLabcorp On Demand Anemia Blood Test

When to see a doctor for iron deficiency

Make an appointment with a doctor if you think you're experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency. Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia :

• fatigue and weakness
• dizziness
• paleness
• low body temperature
• irregular or rapid heart rate
• brittle nails

You may be at a higher risk of iron deficiency anemia if you have heavy periods or a digestive disorder such as Crohn's disease.

Doctors will usually treat a deficiency by prescribing supplements or recommending dietary changes. If you have a condition that affects your ability to absorb iron, your doctor may suggest intravenous iron. In cases of severe iron deficiency anemia, you may need a blood transfusion.

Frequently asked questions about iron testing

Different types of tests check the iron levels in your body. A serum iron test measures how much iron there is in your blood. A TIBC test detects how efficiently iron attaches to proteins in your blood. A ferritin test determines how much iron is stored in your body.

A doctor may order all of these tests to get a complete picture of the iron levels in your body. This can help them diagnose conditions like anemia or other underlying issues.

An iron test requires a blood sample. Most of the time, this involves getting your blood drawn in a lab setting, much like you would with a routine blood test. It's a quick process and causes minimal discomfort.

Yes. However, it's important to follow the provided instructions, as an inadequate sample may not provide accurate results.

According to Mandal, the safest and most accurate way to check your iron is to have your blood drawn and analyzed by a lab. Finger-prick tests may not be as accurate.

In fact, a 2015 study showed that blood samples from finger-prick tests were less concentrated than lab-taken samples, and blood counts can vary from drop to drop.

Home tests are generally as accurate as lab tests since they're also analyzed by a lab.

The above test kits make testing for anemia at home possible, but it should be noted that at-home tests may not have the accuracy or level of detail your doctor requires for a comprehensive diagnosis. That's why it's always recommended to ask your doctor if they recommend an at-home test based on your symptoms and medical history.

Takeaway

While it's possible to get tested for iron deficiency without seeing your doctor, we don't recommend changing anything about your lifestyle or diet without first talking with a medical professional.

Not all iron tests give a complete picture. A ferritin test, for example, may suggest that you're low in iron, but additional testing is required to confirm a diagnosis.

If you get your iron levels checked and receive abnormal results, share them with your doctor. They may order more tests or help you decide on a treatment that's right for you.

Steph Coelho is a freelance writer with chronic migraine who has a particular interest in health and wellness. When she's not click-clacking away on her keyboard, she's probably nose-deep in a good book.