body Treatment
Ferritin (Iron Levels) Blood Test
Feeling low on energy, unusually tired, or noticing unexplained weakness? Your iron levels could be the cause. The Ferritin (Iron Levels) blood test at Perfect Skin Solutions can help identify iron deficiency or iron overload, so you can take steps to restore balance and protect your health.
What is a Ferritin (Iron Levels) Blood Test?
Your body needs iron to produce healthy red blood cells and transport oxygen throughout your system. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body, and measuring ferritin levels gives a clear picture of your overall iron stores.
A Ferritin Blood Test can detect:
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Iron deficiency (a common cause of tiredness and anaemia)
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Early signs of iron deficiency anaemia
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Iron overload (which can damage organs)
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Causes for symptoms like tiredness, breathlessness, or paleness
Why is this Test Important?
Iron is essential for producing haemoglobin—a crucial protein in red blood cells. If your iron stores are low, your body struggles to make enough healthy red blood cells, which can lead to anaemia and leave you feeling unwell. Low iron levels can be caused by a poor diet, chronic disease, blood loss (such as heavy periods), or digestive disorders affecting absorption.
A Ferritin Blood Test can help:
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Pinpoint causes of fatigue and weakness
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Detect iron deficiency before anaemia develops
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Monitor treatment for iron deficiency anaemia
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Detect iron overload in conditions such as haemochromatosis
What Symptoms Might Indicate You Need This Test?
You may benefit from an iron (ferritin) blood test if you notice:
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Persistent tiredness or fatigue
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Unexplained weakness
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Pale skin
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Shortness of breath, especially during activity
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Palpitations or rapid heart rate
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Hair loss or brittle nails
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Frequent infections
If iron overload is suspected, symptoms can include joint pain, abdominal pain, weakness, or unexplained changes in liver function.
Why choose Perfect Skin Solutions for your Ferritin (Iron Levels) Blood Test?
Why Choose Perfect Skin Solutions for Your Folate and B12 Blood Test?
Proactive healthcare, delivered with care
- Personalised service and fast turnaround of results
- Expert follow-up to ensure you get the most appropriate treatment
- Modern facility in Portsmouth with clinical expertise in blood testing and treating blood conditions
Who Should Test?
- Those with symptoms suggestive of anaemia or neurological issues
- People at risk from poor diet or conditions affecting absorption (like coeliac, Crohn’s disease)
- Pregnant women or those planning pregnancy (to reduce risk of birth defects in adults and newborns)
- Those on medications impacting vitamin absorption
What Happens During the Test?
No special preparation is required. If you’re taking supplements, let our team know.
- Sample Collection: A small blood sample is collected. We use a finger prick blood test.
- Laboratory Analysis: Your sample is analysed to check folate levels, vitamin B12 levels, and blood cell characteristics. If results suggest a condition called pernicious anaemia or another blood disorder, further tests may be recommended.
After the Test
- Results: Your detailed results will be emailed securely to you—typically within a short turnaround time of around 15 minutes.
- Review: If blood test results suggest a deficiency, we may recommend you speak to your GP. Folic acid treatment is a standard approach to supplement folate levels, and may also involve B12 injections or changes in your diet.
- Next Steps: For complicated cases or ongoing symptoms, further tests may be recommended to pinpoint the cause and guide your treatment. To treat folate deficiency anaemia, the approach may involve supplements, dietary changes, and addressing the underlying cause. How to treat folate deficiency anaemia depends on the specific cause identified by the test.
