Iron Blood Test
A private iron blood test measuring the four markers that show whether your iron stores are low, normal or too high: ferritin, serum iron, transferrin and total iron-binding capacity. From £49 with a finger-prick kit at home, £89 at one of 200+ Goodbody clinics, or £109 with a nurse home visit. Results are emailed in 3 to 5 working days with a clear GP report included, no GP referral needed.... Read more
A private iron blood test measuring the four markers that show whether your iron stores are low, normal or too high: ferritin, serum iron, transferrin and total iron-binding capacity. From £49 with a finger-prick kit at home, £89 at one of 200+ Goodbody clinics, or £109 with a nurse home visit. Results are emailed in 3 to 5 working days with a clear GP report included, no GP referral needed.
Key facts
- Price: £49 home finger-prick kit, £89 in clinic, £109 nurse home visit
- Measures: ferritin, serum iron, transferrin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
- Three ways to take it: a finger-prick test kit posted to your home; a venous blood draw at one of 200+ UK clinics; or a nurse who visits your home
- Results: 3 to 5 working days from your sample reaching the laboratory
- Fasting: not required, though a morning sample before iron supplements gives the most consistent result
- You receive: your results with reference ranges and a GP report explaining what they mean
Your questions answered
What is iron called on a blood test?
Iron appears on a blood test as several markers rather than one. Ferritin is the protein that stores iron and is the best single measure of your iron reserves. Serum iron is the iron circulating in your blood at the time of the test. Transferrin is the protein that carries iron, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) shows how much spare carrying capacity there is. This test reports all four, which is what doctors call iron studies.
What is ferritin in a blood test?
Ferritin is the protein your body uses to store iron, and the amount in your blood reflects how much iron is held in reserve. It is the most useful marker for iron deficiency because ferritin falls before haemoglobin does, so it can show a problem before you become anaemic. Ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection and liver disease, which is why the other three markers are reported alongside it.
What should ferritin levels be?
Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and your report shows the range used for your sample. As a guide, NICE considers a ferritin below 30 micrograms per litre to indicate iron deficiency in an adult, and the World Health Organization uses 15 as the threshold for depleted iron stores. Healthy levels are typically in the tens to low hundreds. Women who menstruate tend to sit lower than men because of monthly blood loss.
What is a dangerously low ferritin level?
There is no single figure at which ferritin becomes an emergency, but a result below 15 micrograms per litre means your iron stores are essentially empty and iron-deficiency anaemia is likely or imminent. Anything under 30 is treated as deficient by NICE and should be discussed with your GP, who will look for the cause as well as treating the low iron. Very low ferritin with symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain or a racing heart needs prompt medical attention.
What causes high ferritin, and when is it dangerous?
High ferritin most often reflects inflammation, infection, liver strain or regular alcohol use rather than iron overload, because ferritin rises as part of the body's inflammatory response. It can also indicate haemochromatosis, an inherited condition in which the body absorbs too much iron. Ferritin well above the reference range, particularly with a high transferrin saturation, should be followed up with your GP. Symptoms of true iron overload include joint pain, tiredness, abdominal pain and a bronze tint to the skin.
What are the signs of low iron?
The common signs are tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath on exertion, heart palpitations, pale skin, headaches, and a sore or smooth tongue. Others include brittle nails, hair thinning, restless legs, cold hands and feet, and cravings for ice or non-food items. Heavy periods, pregnancy, a vegetarian or vegan diet, regular blood donation, endurance training and gut conditions such as coeliac disease all raise the risk.
Can I test my iron levels at home?
Yes. The home kit contains everything needed for a small finger-prick sample, which you post back to the laboratory in the packaging provided. It measures the same four markers as the clinic test and comes with the same GP report. If you would rather not take your own sample, choose a clinic appointment or a nurse home visit at checkout.
How do I increase my ferritin levels?
If your result shows deficiency, the first step is to find the cause with your GP, since low iron is a sign rather than a diagnosis. Treatment is usually an iron supplement for several months, with a repeat test after around three months to check ferritin is rising. Eating iron-rich foods (red meat, lentils, beans, fortified cereals, dark leafy greens) helps, and taking iron with vitamin C improves absorption while tea and coffee reduce it.
How much does an iron blood test cost?
A private iron blood test costs from £49 at Goodbody Clinic. The home finger-prick kit is £49, a blood draw at one of our clinics is £89, and a nurse visiting your home is £109. Every option includes laboratory analysis of all four iron markers and a GP report.
Where can I get an iron test near me?
Order the home kit online, book a blood draw at one of Goodbody's 250+ partner clinics across the UK, or arrange a nurse home visit. No GP referral is needed. Find your nearest clinic.
Iron test or anaemia test: which do I need?
This iron test tells you about your iron stores and transport. It does not measure haemoglobin, so it cannot confirm anaemia on its own. If you want to know whether low iron has progressed to anaemia, or to check vitamin B12 as another cause of tiredness, the Anaemia Blood Test adds those markers. If you already know you are anaemic and want to see whether iron is the reason, this test is the right one.
What happens next
Your results and GP report are emailed to you within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory. The report explains each marker in plain language, flags anything outside the reference range and says what to do next, including when to take the result to your own GP. All samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
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What biomarkers do we test?
How our tests work
Book online...
Book online, receive your kit and take to your local Goodbody clinic.
Send it back…
Send your sample in the post to be analysed at an accredited laboratory.
Get results.
Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory, with guidance from our support team.
Available testing locations for Iron Blood Test
Aberdeen Clinic GCI Advanced Aesthetics
Abergavenny Clinic Amatsu Centre
Airdrie Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy
Aldershot Clinic Wellington Pharmacy
Alton Clinic Four Marks Pharmacy
Andover Clinic Dr Malaika Clinics
Anniesland Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy
Arlesey Clinic Waterloo Farm Wellness
Armadale Clinic Dears Pharmacy
Ascot Clinic Ascot Pharmacy
AshbyDeLaZouch Clinic Aeternum Aesthetics
Ashford Clinic Breakspear Pharmacy
Aveley Clinic Doctor B Aesthetics
Aylesbury Clinic Aura Body Clinic
Aylesbury Clinic Pearlfect Care Pharmacy
Aylsham Clinic North Norfolk Ear & Skin Care
Ballingry Clinic
Barnet Clinic Co Wellbeing
Find More
More Information
How our blood tests work
Have your blood taken in-clinic by one of our skilled phlebotomists and check multiple biomarkers in one go. Many of our tests can also be done in the comfort of your own home with one of our easy-to-use test kits.
Testing
Take a test, either in the comfort of your own home, with a nurse visit, or at one of our clinics nationwide.
Analysis
Your sample is analysed in the clinic, laboratory or using your home test equipment.
Results
Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory.
Not sure if this test
is right for you?
Enquire via the form and a member of our team will get back to you, they are more than happy to help answer your questions and talk through the best option for you.
Contact us if you aren't sure, we'd be happy to help!
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Experts you can trust
Meet our Goodbody Experts
Our team of professionals has decades of experience so you can be sure you’re getting the best tests and support to understand and improve your health.
Get in touch with Our Team
Dr Lebeth Jacob
BSc (Hons) MBChB
Registered GP & Lead Medical Advisor
Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev
MA, PhD, FRSM
Clinical Support Advisor
Dr Cheng Boon
MBCHB, MRCP, FRCR
Consultant Oncologist
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