Anemia Blood Test
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Have you been feeling tired often, despite adequate rest? Check your iron, hemoglobin, and ferritin levels from the comfort of your own home with Homed-IQ’s Anemia Blood Test. Anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells in the body decreases. This can cause symptoms of fatigue and lack of energy. This test checks several indicators of anemia using a blood sample taken from home.
Test method: Finger prick test
What do we test for?
€59,00 Free Shipping
- Easy to use from home
- Professional analysis in a medically certified laboratory
- Most affordable home test provider
About the Test
What is an anemia test?
This test measures the hemoglobin, iron, and ferritin levels in your blood. Hemoglobin – also called Hb – is needed to carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Iron is a mineral that is important, among other things, for the formation of hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body. It is mainly in your liver and bone marrow, but also partly in your blood. The amount of ferritin in your blood says something about the amount of iron stored in your body. If your ferritin level is too low, you have too little iron in your body. It may then be more difficult for your body to produce hemoglobin (Sanquin).
The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency. That is why iron levels are tested in addition to hemoglobin with Homed-IQ’s Anemia Test. Based on the results, it can be determined whether you have anemia or not.
What is anemia?
Anemia occurs when your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia can occur for a variety of reasons, but iron deficiency anemia is the most common form. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body does not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin (Hb). Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the cells throughout your body. About one-third of red blood cells are filled with hemoglobin, which also causes the red color of your blood. If there is not enough hemoglobin to transport adequate amounts of oxygen to the body tissues, you may feel symptoms of lethargy, shortness of breath and fatigue.
By using an anemia self-test, you can easily check your iron, ferritin, and hemoglobin levels to see if you have anemia.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of anemia include:
- Pale skin
- Fatigue and weakness
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Ringing in the ears
- Quickly becoming short of breath with exertion
- Dizziness
- Feeling faint
Summary of Biomarkers
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body’s tissues, as well as carries carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs. Hemoglobin contains iron and gives red blood cells their colour. Both too high and too low hemoglobin can cause health problems.
Anemia occurs when there is not enough hemoglobin, either due to increased breakdown or decreased production of red blood cells. The most common type of anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your body, known as iron deficiency anemia. Other nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin A are also important causes of low hemoglobin. Intestinal disorders, chronic blood loss, pregnancy, certain inherited conditions, and chronic diseases can cause anemia.
High hemoglobin can occur when your body requires an increased oxygen capacity, such as if you smoke, are dehydrated, live at a high altitude, or have a heart or lung condition.
Iron
Iron is a mineral your body needs to create hemoglobin, which transports oxygen around the body. Iron is also needed for enzyme function, for growth and development, and for a healthy immune system. Without sufficient iron, the production of red blood cells decreases and iron-deficiency anemia can occur. This can cause breathlessness, dizziness, fatigue, and trouble concentrating. An iron test measures how much iron is in your blood. By testing your iron level you can know whether changes in your diet or iron supplements are needed.
Ferritin
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. This allows your body to use iron when it needs it. The body needs iron for the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in your blood from your lungs to the rest of your body. If your ferritin levels are low, it can be a sign of iron deficiency. In severe cases, or left untreated, this can lead to anemia – a reduced level of hemoglobin or red blood cells. It is therefore extremely important for athletes to be aware of their ferritin levels in order to prevent iron deficiency or anemia and to prevent any negative effects on their athletic performance.
Test Process & Results
What is in the test kit?
The test kit contains instructions for use, lancets to collect blood, a blood collection tube, alcohol wipes, band-aids, a protective transport bag and a return envelope to send your sample to the laboratory.
How reliable is this test?
All test samples are processed in the same labs used by primary care physicians, hospitals and government programs. Homed-IQ’s partner labs are ISO 15189 certified, which is the highest level of laboratory accreditation.
The sensitivity and specificity for this blood test is almost 100%. Sensitivity is the ability of a test to correctly identify disease. Specificity is the ability of a test to correctly identify tests without disease.
How soon will I receive the results of Homed-IQ’s home anemia test?
Once you have collected your sample and mailed it to our laboratory, it generally takes a few working days before you receive the test result. As soon as your test sample arrives at the laboratory you will receive a notification by email. Once your test result is ready, you will receive a text message and an email from us with a link to your test result. We will keep you well informed throughout the entire testing process!
What does the result mean?
This test measures the hemoglobin, iron, and ferritin levels in your blood. The results of this test can determine whether or not you have anemia and what may be causing it. A healthy hemoglobin level, for example, helps us to feel our best and ensures our body can function properly. Want to learn more about hemoglobin and why it is so important? Feel free to check out our article “All about Hemoglobin“!
How does it work?
Order your test
Activate and take your sample
Receive your test result
Frequently asked questions
Is too little iron dangerous?
Untreated iron deficiency can be dangerous. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, headaches, hair loss, and restless legs, as well as also worsen other health conditions, such as those of the heart. Young children with iron deficiency are at risk of impaired mental development, and pregnant women who are iron deficient have an increased risk of delivering an infant with low birth weight (Radboudumc, 2020).
How long does it take to recover from iron-deficiency anemia?
With treatment, most people recover from iron-deficiency anemia in 2 to 3 months. However, it may be required to take iron supplements for several months longer to build up your reserves of iron.
Is anemia temporary?
In many cases, anemia is temporary and caused by a nutritional deficiency or blood loss. By making dietary changes or taking supplements it can be reversed. In other cases, anemia is a lifelong condition that is the result of a chronic or inherited condition, including genetic disorders, autoimmune problems, cancers, and other diseases.
Can stress cause iron deficiency or anemia?
Some research has found a link between stress and iron deficiency and the depletion of other minerals in the body. However, stress alone is not known to cause iron deficiency or anemia. Nevertheless, minimizing stress is good for your overall health and well-being.
How do I know if I have anemia?
Anemia may cause symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness, a rapid pulse, dizziness, or faintness. However, the only way to know you have anemia for sure is through a blood test.
How is anemia diagnosed?
Anemia tests usually look at hemoglobin, ferritin, and iron levels. Other values, such as hematocrit or mean corpuscular volume can be used to help diagnose anemia.
What is anemia?
Many people think that anemia is caused by having an insufficient amount of blood, but this is not the case. Anemia means you have a shortage of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Your red blood cells are about 1/3 filled with hemoglobin, a protein found in the blood. Hemoglobin is red and therefore gives your blood its red color. The function of hemoglobin is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. As soon as you have a shortage of hemoglobin, you can feel lethargic and fatigued. Do you want to learn more about hemoglobin and why it is important? Then our article “All about Hemoglobin” might be interesting for you.
Is this anemia test more reliable than a rapid test?
Yes. Most rapid tests are not reliable because your sample will not be examined by a laboratory. With Homed-IQ’s Anemia Test, your sample is examined by the same laboratory that most hospitals and general practitioners work with and uses exactly the same testing method. We can therefore give you a definitive answer whether you have anemia or not.
Will my health insurer reimburse this anemia test?
We currently do not have any agreements with health insurers. Therefore, at Homed-IQ we aim to keep our tests as affordable as possible to give everyone the opportunity to get a better understanding of their health.
Can I also check the value of other vitamins or minerals with a home test?
Homed-IQ offers a range of home testing solutions for different health conditions, vitamins, and minerals. Click here to see our full test portfolio.
What is the benefit of Homed-IQ’s Anemia Blood Test?
The biggest advantage of this anemia laboratory test is that you can easily take the test yourself at home, without the need for a visit to your doctor or a testing center. You will receive the test result within a few days.
What are the risks of untreated anemia?
If not treated, chronic anemia can lead to many health problems such as:
- Extreme fatigue
- Complications during pregnancy
- Heart problems
- Developmental delays in children
What should you eat if you are iron deficient?
Anemia cannot always be prevented, but a healthy and varied diet does reduce the risk of anemia. This is especially important when you:
- Are pregnant
- Are vegan or vegetarian
- Have a long-term (chronic) illness
- Lose a lot of blood during your period
Foods that are high in iron include:
- Red meat
- Iron-fortified bread
- Certain types of fish such as mackerel, sardines, tuna, and crab
- Legumes, such as beans or lentils
- Nuts
- Dried fruits, especially apricots and figs
- Vegetables (especially dark green leafy vegetables) such as endives, spinach, broccoli or zucchini, artichoke, and concentrated tomato products
Is this test scientifically approved?
All of Homed-IQ’s self-sampling tests are scientifically certified and validated for home use. The tests have been tested and approved by our lab to ensure the results of samples taken at home are as accurate as samples taken in a testing station or doctor’s office. It is only legal to sell validated medical tests.
Each sample is processed in a laboratory that is ISO15189 certified, which allows us to guarantee the reliability of the tests.
Is anemia the same as iron deficiency?
No, iron deficiency is one of the causes of anemia. It is the most common cause of this condition.
Is anemia the same as a ferritin deficiency?
No, ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body. The amount of ferritin in your blood says something about the amount of iron in your body, but does not cause anemia. However, a ferritin deficiency can indicate you have too little iron in your body. Iron deficiency is one of the causes of anemia.
What are the causes of anemia?
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. Other causes can be a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid. Anemia can also be caused by other diseases, or occur due to hereditary genetic mutations. Stress can also be a cause of anemia, according to researchers (Wei, Zhou, Huang & Li, 2008).
Am I at risk of anemia?
Most people are at risk of developing anemia due to poor diet, intestinal disorders, chronic illnesses, infections, and other conditions. Women who are menstruating or pregnant and those with chronic conditions are most at risk of this disease. The risk of anemia increases with age.
If you have any of the following chronic conditions, you may be at even greater risk of developing anemia:
- Rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Liver disease
- Thyroid disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
The signs and symptoms of anemia can easily be overlooked. In fact, many people don’t even realize they have anemia until it is diagnosed with a blood test.
One risk group for anemia is people who are vegetarian or vegan. We have specially developed the Vegan and Vegetarian Blood test for this group of people.
What percentage of the population has anemia?
In the Netherlands, approximately 12.5% of the population has anemia. Worldwide this percentage is almost 25% (WHO Global Database on Anemia, 2008). Since anemia is highly common, it is important to test for it regularly.
