Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, mainly in the liver, releasing it when it is needed. The amount of ferritin that is circulating in your blood reflects the total amount of iron stored in your body. In red blood cells, iron forms part of a protein called haemoglobin which transports oxygen through your blood.

An inadequate supply of iron is one cause of a fall in haemoglobin or anaemia. There are 3 main causes of iron deficiency: 1) not eating enough iron-rich foods 2) trouble absorbing iron 3) blood loss. Inadequate dietary iron or increased demand as in pregnancy or malabsorption or blood loss over a long period (e.g. excessive menses or with haemorrhoids) may lead to depletion of iron stores and anaemia.

It's important to have the correct amount of iron in your body. If you have low iron levels, you can develop anaemia. If you have too much iron, it can be toxic. Your body can't make iron, so you need to get it from your diet. If you don't eat as much iron as you use each day, you become iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world.

Ferritin is normally found mainly inside of the cells in the body, with only a small amount in the blood. When there is damage to organs that contain ferritin and in inflammatory states, ferritin levels can become raised even though the total amount of iron in the body is normal. Ferritin levels may not be particularly helpful if measured in people with liver disease, long-term infections, cancer or autoimmune diseases.

Iron deficiency anaemia is caused by lack of iron, often because of blood loss or pregnancy. It can be treated with iron tablets prescribed by a GP and by eating iron-rich foods.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia are related to decreased oxygen delivery to the entire body and may include:

• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Short of breath, dizzy and light-headed
• Noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
• Pale or yellow "sallow" skin, brittle nails or hair loss
• Struggling to concentrate and remember things
• Performing poorly at school or work
• Getting infections
• Behaviour problems in children
• Decreased libido (sex drive)

The only reliable way of telling if you are iron deficient is through a blood test to look at your iron levels and to check for anaemia.

This test is a quick and easy way to screen for your levels of iron using a blood sample at home, no need to go to the lab. It provides accurate results to indicate current levels of iron in your blood:

• Gives a result for iron levels
• Simple finger-prick lateral flow test
• Rapid results in 10 minutes, no need to send to a lab
• Clinically tested accuracy (95.1%)
• Affordable and time saving

Iron Deficiency Rapid Test Kit can be used by professionals or at home. It will give you a good indication of your ferritin levels. It is suited to anyone who would like to quickly get an indication of current iron levels in blood.

Most conditions that cause too little or too much iron can be treated with iron supplements (for low iron), changes to your diet, medicines, and/or other therapies.

If your iron test results are not normal, it does not necessarily mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Some medicines, including birth control pills and estrogen treatments, can affect iron levels. Iron levels may also be lower for women during their menstrual cycles.

What's included in the Iron Deficiency (Ferritin) Anaemia Rapid test kit:

• Test cassette
• Capillary dropper
• Buffer
• Alcohol pad
• Lancet
• Plaster

Expiration date: 12/2025