Introduction
Most people don’t think to have their iron levels checked unless they’re feeling fatigued, weak or run-down, but it can be important to know if you are low on iron so you can make changes to your diet and lifestyle. Iron affects the maturation of red blood cells and is essential for oxygen transport in the body. Low levels of iron can cause anemia, fatigue and decreased immunity. Checking for Iron deficiency in a timely way is important as it could result in some serious medical issues if left unchecked.
Fortunately there are several methods of testing your iron levels at home that are safe, affordable and easy to do. This guide will cover what symptoms point to low iron levels and how you can check them at home:
What are Iron Levels?
Iron levels are an important indicator of overall health, as they determine how much oxygen is being delivered throughout the body. Low levels of iron can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and general weakness. It is important to regularly check your iron levels to make sure that you remain in optimal health.
In this article, we will discuss how to check your iron levels at home:
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is a common nutritional deficiency that can lead to health and performance decline if left untreated. It can cause fatigue, weakened immune system, anemia and mental sluggishness. Iron plays an important role in producing red blood cells, transporting oxygen around the body and maintaining healthy muscles, so it is essential to maintain low levels of iron in the body.
Iron levels can be tested at home with either a home test kit or a professional test. Home tests usually involve taking blood samples from fingertips using specialized lancets or sticks and then performing the analysis using special machines. These tests are more accurate than professional tests since they measure both hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations which are indicators of low iron levels (anemia). However, these home tests should not replace medical advice as results may vary from person-to-person depending on their individual health conditions. Professional tests are done by a doctor or lab technician where a sample of blood will be taken for laboratory analysis using sophisticated methods such as spectrophotometry and electrophoresis to measure the amount of iron present in the blood stream.
It is important to monitor your iron levels regularly to prevent any health problems associated with deficiencies in this essential mineral. Lowered iron levels can cause fatigue, dizziness, poor concentration and irritability or depression which often lead to reduced work performance or worse. For athletes, having low iron could influence their performance during events due to exhaustion not caused by their physical efforts but instead by their internal systems being deprived of nutrient needed for vital functions like respiration, digestion and circulation – all facilitated by healthy amounts of irons in the bloodstream.
Iron Overload
Iron overload, also referred to as hemochromatosis, is a medical condition where iron levels in the body become too high. The body has no natural mechanism for iron removal and an excess of iron may cause health problems including organ damage. It is important to identify if you are at risk of iron overload and learn how to lower your iron levels if necessary.
Iron overload can occur from both dietary and genetic sources. If left untreated, it can lead to severe organ damage of the liver and heart. Signs and symptoms include joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, confusion, weakness or coma. Diagnosis is done through a blood test that measures the amount of ferritin in your system. Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in the body’s cells and tissues; when it’s high it’s an indication that you have excess iron in your body.
If you are diagnosed with elevated ferritin levels caused by dietary reasons then reducing intake of red meat or other sources of dietary iron may help reduce level (though this will depend on individual factors). If it appears that your excess levels are caused by a genetic factor then other treatments such as
- medications
- chelation therapy
- blood donation
may be recommended by a doctor. Treatment should not be delayed as long term damage from regular high levels of ferritin can cause serious harm to organs such as the liver as well as other health complications e.g., diabetes or gallstones.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency
Iron is an essential mineral for keeping our bodies healthy, so it is important to monitor if you are getting enough of this mineral in your diet. Learning about the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency, as well as taking a home iron test kit, can be very useful in determining if you are deficient.
Iron deficiency, also known as anemia, is caused when there is not enough iron in the body. Symptoms of iron deficiency can vary depending on how severe the deficiency is. Mild symptoms include tiredness and fatigue, feeling cold due to low body temperature, and dry or cracked skin. Moderate to severe symptoms include:
- Pale skin caused by a decrease in red blood cells
- Brittle nails
- Hair loss
- Chest pain or breathlessness
- A sore tongue – known as glossitis
If you suspect that you may have low iron levels or believe that your diet may be deficient in iron-rich sources such as red meat and legumes – then it’s wise to speak to either your doctor or a registered nutritionist who can advise further testing such as a blood test. Alternatively if you’d like more immediate results then there are home test kits available which measure the level of ferritin – an easily accessible form of stored iron in our bodies – enabling individuals to understand their baseline prior to any dietary interventions.
How to Check Iron Levels at Home
Checking your iron levels at home can be a convenient way to keep track of your health. Home testing kits provide quick and accurate results, which can help you make better decisions about your health.
This article will discuss the different methods for testing iron levels at home, as well as how to interpret the results. So let’s get started!
Iron Testing Kits
Iron testing kits are an accessible way to measure the levels of iron in your body from the comfort of your own home. The test kits can typically be purchased from a pharmacy and are often compact enough to transport with you wherever you go, making it convenient to find out as soon as possible when something is wrong.
One useful testing kit is Venous Blood Analysis which is used to test for iron levels by taking a sample of blood for laboratory analysis. It can measure hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), ferritin and TIBC (total iron binding capacity). It’s important to note that this procedure should be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
Another option is the Iron Test Strip, which uses a chemical reaction that changes color depending on the strength or presence of iron in your body. The strip’s reaction can help you determine if your iron levels are on target or not. This method is often preferred as it does not require any extra equipment or medical expertise.
Finally, Iron Serum Test Kits are yet another convenience for testing your iron at home. This kit requires only a bit of equipment: four serum sample tubes, two tablespoons and ice packs or cold storage containers filled with distilled water or buffer solution. After taking the samples according to instructions and storing them appropriately in ice water mixtures until they reach room temperature, they can then be tested with laboratory equipment that analyzes serum proteins like transferrin and ferritin levels against expected healthy ranges.
Whichever method you choose, home-based testing kits give you access to crucial health information right away and allow you to take immediate action if something isn’t right.
Blood Tests
When checking your iron levels at home, the primary method of testing is through a blood test. These tests are generally conducted by a healthcare professional and require a small sample of your blood to be taken. The sample is analyzed to determine how much iron is in your body, as well as other possible signs of iron deficiency or overload.
A complete blood count (CBC) is the most common type of test and it’s used to measure the number and types of cells in your blood sample. It can give you an accurate picture of the current levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which are chemicals that help with clotting and regeneration.
Other tests such as ferritin tests measure stored iron in your body; serum ferritin tests measure free, circulating iron levels; transferrin receptor tests measure how much iron is available for use by other parts of the body; and serum iron tests check how much total iron you have in your bloodstream.
In addition to these more comprehensive lab exams, many drug stores also offer Iron Health Tests which allow you to collect a sample at home and mail it off for processing in order to get rapid results regarding iron levels reflected back promptly. This method does not provide doctors with insights into any other measures that could hint at further health issues for consideration but it can give individuals peace-of-mind if their first concern was simply learning if their body was low on Iron or if high amounts were present influencing their overall health.
Other Tests
Other tests can be used to check iron levels at home, although they may be less reliable than laboratory tests:
- Finger Prick Test: This test requires a small finger prick and a special test strip to measure the amount of iron in the blood. The test strip is simply pressed against the finger, and the results will appear within minutes. However, this method is not as accurate as a laboratory test and may not provide an exact indication of your iron levels.
- Ironsat Test: Ironsat uses urine drops to measure levels of a certain type of protein produced when there is not enough iron in your body. Applying two drops of urine onto a special card will enable testing for levels of transferrin saturation percentage (TSAT), which indicates how readily available your iron supply is for use by the body. This method is generally less expensive compared to laboratory testing but still provides descriptive values only, rather than exact metrics on your overall iron status.
Conclusion
The best way to check your iron levels at home is to use a ferritin test kit. A kit contains everything you need to perform the test and store results, making it an easy and convenient option. With the kit, you will draw a small amount of blood, apply it to the test strip and get your reading in minutes.
If you’re looking for more ways to check your iron levels at home, consider discussing with your doctor alternative options such as:
- Dietary changes
- Taking a supplement
Taking action now can help prevent further issues down the road. It’s important to monitor your health regularly and speak up if something doesn’t feel right or if you have any concerns about blood tests.