Ferritin Blood Test Kit. Home Kit with Laboratory Results
Regular price
£19.99
Sale price
£19.99
Regular price
£22.99
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Are you experiencing persistent fatigue, low energy, shortness of breath, or noticeable hair loss? Low ferritin (the protein that stores iron in your body) is one of the most common and overlooked causes. This simple home blood test measures your exact iron storage levels, helping you identify iron deficiency before it progresses to anaemia.
Biomarkers
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Ferritin
Measures the amount of iron safely stored in your body's cells (liver, spleen, and muscles) for future use. Because ferritin stores deplete before circulating iron levels drop, this is the single most important marker for catching iron deficiency early.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is ferritin and what does it do?
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Ferritin is a protein found in your cells that stores iron and releases it in a controlled way when your body needs it. It serves as the body's iron reserve and is one of the most reliable indicators of how much iron your body has available. Unlike serum iron, which can fluctuate throughout the day, ferritin reflects your longer-term iron stores, making it a more accurate marker of iron status.
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What are the symptoms of low ferritin?
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Low ferritin symptoms are often gradual and easy to overlook. The most common include persistent fatigue and low energy, weakness, difficulty concentrating, low mood, shortness of breath on exertion, and cold hands and feet. Hair thinning or excessive shedding is also a widely reported symptom, even when haemoglobin levels remain within the normal range.
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What are the symptoms of high ferritin levels?
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Elevated ferritin does not always cause noticeable symptoms, particularly in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include joint pain, persistent fatigue and abdominal discomfort.
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What causes low ferritin?
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The most common cause of low ferritin is insufficient dietary iron intake, particularly in those following plant-based diets where iron is less readily absorbed. Blood loss is another major cause, especially in women with heavy periods. Other contributing factors include poor iron absorption due to conditions such as coeliac disease or Crohn's disease, pregnancy, and frequent blood donation. In some cases, low ferritin can occur even when dietary intake appears adequate.
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Is ferritin affected during pregnancy?
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Yes. Ferritin levels commonly vary during pregnancy and often decrease as pregnancy progresses, particularly in the later trimesters.
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Can a ferritin blood test help diagnose specific conditions?
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A ferritin blood test helps assess iron stores and may support the diagnosis of conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia, liver disease, or chronic inflammation. Abnormal results are not specific on their own, so further evaluation is usually needed for an accurate diagnosis.
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How can I increase my ferritin levels naturally?
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Increasing dietary iron intake is the most effective first step. Iron-rich foods include red meat, liver, shellfish, legumes, tofu, dark leafy greens, and fortified cereals. Consuming vitamin C alongside iron-rich foods significantly improves absorption, while avoiding tea, coffee, and calcium-rich foods around mealtimes can help, as these can inhibit iron uptake. If dietary changes are insufficient, an iron supplement may be recommended by a healthcare professional based on your test results.
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Turnaround Time
Turnaround Time
Once your sample is collected and posted, it is processed in our laboratory with a typical turnaround time of 1-3 days from the moment the lab receives the kit.
Test Preparation
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Ferritin
Fasting is not required for a ferritin test, as levels are not significantly affected by recent meals. However, you should avoid fatty meals at least 6 hours before collecting your sample. If your ferritin test is being taken alongside other iron studies such as serum iron or transferrin saturation, fasting for 8–12 hours beforehand is recommended, as these markers can be influenced by food intake.
The most important consideration is recent illness or infection. Ferritin is an acute-phase protein, meaning levels can rise significantly in response to inflammation or infection, even a mild cold. To avoid a falsely elevated result, wait until you have fully recovered before collecting your sample.
Symptom Check
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Low Ferritin
Symptoms of Low Ferritin in Women
Women are particularly susceptible to low ferritin, most commonly due to blood loss through menstruation. Symptoms can be subtle at first but often include persistent fatigue and low energy, weakness, shortness of breath on exertion, difficulty concentrating, and low mood. Hair thinning or excessive hair shedding is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in women with low ferritin, even when haemoglobin levels remain normal. Cold hands and feet, headaches, and heart palpitations may also occur as ferritin levels drop further.
Symptoms of Low Ferritin in Men
Although men are generally at lower risk of low ferritin than women, it can still occur, particularly in those with poor dietary intake, gastrointestinal conditions affecting iron absorption, or chronic blood loss from the gut. Symptoms in men mirror those in women and include persistent tiredness, reduced physical endurance, difficulty concentrating, and low mood. Hair loss, which can sometimes be mistaken for male pattern baldness, restless legs syndrome, and an increased susceptibility to illness may also be signs that ferritin levels are lower than optimal. Because symptoms are often gradual and non-specific, low ferritin in men frequently goes undetected without a blood test.
Result Report
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Result Report (in-use)
The final report provides a comprehensive breakdown of your biomarkers, displaying your specific levels alongside standard UK reference ranges to show exactly where you fall on the spectrum. Beyond just the raw numbers, the report includes a brief commentary.
View your results in a clear, easy-to-understand format with charts and reference ranges. If you repeat the same biomarkers with us, your report includes historical comparisons to help track changes, trends, and progress over time.
Are you experiencing persistent fatigue, low energy, shortness of breath, or noticeable hair loss? Low ferritin, the protein that stores iron in your body, is one of the most common and overlooked causes. This simple home blood test measures your exact iron storage levels, helping you identify iron deficiency before it progresses to anaemia.
Ferritin deficiency is commonly linked to:
- Chronic fatigue or low energy
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Brittle nails or pale skin
- Weakness or difficulty concentrating
Early detection allows for targeted action, whether that's dietary changes, iron supplementation, or further medical evaluation.
What is tested:
Serum Ferritin — a sensitive marker of your body's available iron stores and the most reliable indicator of iron-deficiency anaemia.
Also worth considering:
While ferritin checks your iron storage, unexplained fatigue is also frequently caused by thyroid imbalances. If you want a complete picture in one sample, consider adding our Thyroid Profile (TSH, Free T3 and Free T4) to your order.
Your results:
Delivered as a secure PDF report to your email within 3 working days of your sample arriving at our laboratory. Results are quantitative, showing your exact ferritin level alongside reference ranges and notes for any values outside the normal range. All samples are processed in a CQC-regulated UK laboratory.
How it works
Order test online
Collect a few drops at home
Return sample to the lab
