Ferritin and Iron Deficiency — How to Check Iron Levels with a Home Blood Test?

Iron — a microelement of macro importance

Iron is one of the most essential trace elements in the human body. It participates in oxygen transport (as a component of hemoglobin), cellular energy production, DNA synthesis, and immune function. An adult body contains 3-5 g of iron, with 65% in hemoglobin and 15-30% stored as ferritin.

Ferritin is the primary iron-storage protein. Its blood concentration reflects the body's iron reserves: low ferritin is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of iron deficiency — it drops weeks or even months before hemoglobin falls.

Iron deficiency is the world's most common nutritional deficiency. The WHO estimates it affects 25-30% of the global population. In Poland, the problem is particularly significant among women of reproductive age (menstrual iron loss), vegetarians/vegans, athletes, and the elderly.

Symptoms of iron deficiency

Iron deficiency develops gradually and may initially be asymptomatic. As the deficit deepens, symptoms emerge:

Early symptoms: chronic fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, pale skin and mucous membranes, irritability, difficulty concentrating (so-called brain fog).

Advanced symptoms: exertional dyspnea, palpitations, brittle nails (koilonychia — spoon-shaped nails), hair loss, burning tongue, cracked corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis), restless legs syndrome.

Specific symptom: pica — a pathological craving for non-food substances (ice, clay, starch). This signals severe iron deficiency.

Important: many of these symptoms are non-specific and may accompany other conditions (hypothyroidism, depression, vitamin D deficiency). That's why an objective ferritin test is so valuable.

How does the home ferritin test work?

The OFE-402H is an immunochromatographic cassette test that detects ferritin in a capillary blood sample taken from the fingertip.

Procedure (about 7 minutes from collection to result): 1. Wash hands with warm water (dilates capillaries). 2. Clean finger with the alcohol swab. 3. Prick fingertip with the lancet (side of ring finger — less painful). 4. Wipe away the first drop of blood, collect the second with the capillary pipette to the marked line. 5. Transfer blood to the cassette well. 6. Add 1 drop of buffer. 7. Read the result after 5 minutes. Do not interpret after 10 minutes.

Interpretation: Two lines (C and T) = ferritin normal (above diagnostic threshold). Only C line = ferritin below normal — probable iron deficiency.

The test is CE0123 certified (TÜV SÜD).

What to do if iron deficiency is detected?

If the test shows low ferritin, we recommend:

1. Medical consultation — confirm with a venous blood test (CBC + ferritin + serum iron + TIBC/transferrin + CRP). CRP is important to rule out inflammation, which falsely elevates ferritin.

2. Iron supplementation — oral iron preparations (ferrous sulfate, fumarate, bisglycinate) at 100-200 mg elemental iron/day. Take on an empty stomach or with vitamin C (improves absorption). Avoid combining with tea, coffee, dairy, or calcium supplements.

3. Iron-rich diet — heme iron (best absorbed): red meat, liver, oysters, dark poultry meat. Non-heme iron (less absorbed): spinach, lentils, tofu, pumpkin seeds.

4. Identify the cause: chronic blood loss (heavy periods, hemorrhoids, ulcers), malabsorption (celiac disease, IBD), increased demand (pregnancy, adolescent growth).

Related product

• Ferritin (Iron Deficiency) Test 20.00 PLN

Frequently asked questions

What should normal ferritin levels be?

Normal ferritin range is 12-150 ng/mL for women and 12-300 ng/mL for men. However, many experts consider optimal levels to be above 30-50 ng/mL. Values below 12 ng/mL indicate overt iron deficiency.

Are vegetarians particularly at risk?

Yes. Iron from plant sources (non-heme) is absorbed at 2-20%, while heme iron from meat is absorbed at 15-35%. Vegetarians and vegans should regularly check ferritin and consider supplementation.

Can too much iron be harmful?

Yes. Excess iron (hemochromatosis) damages the liver, heart, and pancreas. Iron supplementation should always be done under medical supervision, monitoring ferritin levels.