Iron Profile Blood Test (Home Kit) – £39

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Where can we find it?

It is one of the most critical minerals in our body. We must assimilate them through our diet.

The crimson pigment haemoglobin is bound to approximately 4-5 grams of iron in our bodies.
For what purpose is it employed?

Fe is essential for each cell in our body. It facilitates the formation of blood and the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. In the absence of haemoglobin, the body would produce less haemoglobin, as it is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the entire body. This is the method by which it supplies us with energy. Additionally, it is beneficial for the health of your skin, hair, and nails, as it is involved in the immune system and the seamless progression of your pregnancy. Consequently, it is imperative to undergo a Fe checkup.

Why do we require it?

The body also loses it, which is why women have a greater need for it due to menstruation. The requirements of women are reduced beginning with menopause.

Similar recommendations are provided by the US National Institute of Health, which advises vegetarians to multiply the recommended daily intake by 1.8.

Risk categories: Who is at a significant risk?

Various factors, including 10–12, contribute to the susceptibility of certain individuals to deficiencies 5,9.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women require it more, as blood is essential for the delivery of the baby and the subsequent production of breast milk. Older adults may experience a lack of appetite and chewing difficulties, which results in a deficiency of nutrients. Vegetarians and vegans do not consume it from animal-based foods, which the body can absorb more effectively. Individuals with chronic gastrointestinal disorders frequently fail to absorb it properly.

Professional athletes frequently adhere to a diet that is of inferior quality and have a greater need for energy.

Check your daily supply with a home kit if you are a member of one of the risk categories. It is advised that you refrain from consuming any supplements prior to visiting the laboratory. Conversely, there is a possibility of hemochromatosis and excess.

What are the symptoms?

The supply of oxygen to cells is reduced when there is insufficient oxygen in the body. Consequently, the energy output and functional capabilities of the cells are restricted. For instance, fatigue and concentration issues may arise when the brain is inadequately supplied with oxygen.

A few additional symptoms include:

• hair loss,
• brittle nails,
• chapped corners of the mouth;
• weakness,
• reduced performance,
• headache;
• anaemia.

Hair loss and anemia

Hair loss is a potential repercussion of deficiency. It is essential information, and hair requires a significant amount of care.

Scientific findings

A deficiency is readily apparent: your body consumes more than it receives, and reserves are depleted. Possible causes include a poor diet, blood loss, and an increased need, such as during pregnancy or in competitive athletics.

Anemia is characterized by an insufficient production of haemoglobin. Consequently, it is only capable of transporting oxygen through the body to a limited extent.

Loss

It is lost by the body as a result of internal hemorrhaging, dialysis, menstruation, injuries, or blood donation. Internal hemorrhage may result from intestinal tumors and other gastrointestinal disorders.

During pregnancy, the level is low

Particularly during the final stages of pregnancy, pregnant women are required to provide an increased amount of oxygen and blood to the embryo, placenta, and uterus. A pregnant woman’s metabolism is required to produce an additional 30-40%.

The scientists are still unsure how deficiency affects the child. Some studies suggest that anaemia increases the risk of disorders for the mother and baby and increases the likelihood of premature births and miscarriages 20. In other studies, children whose mothers took supplements during pregnancy were born of a natural birth.

In competitive athletes

Studies show that professional and ambitious athletes need it more, especially during endurance sports. There are several theories on why athletes need more: higher volume, sweat production, and small haemorrhages in the vessels of the feet.

Deficiency Exam

If you can, check for a deficiency. A laboratory can determine several values. A haemoglobin value shows how much of it circulates in the body.

GPs often check for ferritin levels and their storage form. This suggests a general supply.

The Cerascreen

The Cerascreen® Iron checkup is an exam for ferritin and the stored level. You can conduct this exam at home using our kit. It is very easy to take the exam; you take a small amount of blood from your fingertip and send the sample by post to our laboratory. Here, the ferritin levels will be determined, and the report will indicate whether the levels are within the normal range.

Fe-rich diet and supplements

4 Vegetarian sources:

• yogurt with fruits + oats + a glass of orange juice
• curry with red lentils or chickpeas
• hummus +(lemon juice)
• salad with millet, goat cheese, vegetables and herbs

Are your levels too low?

A change in diet is often a solution. If this is not enough, or you have a severe deficiency or disorders associated with deficiency, supplements may be helpful.

Foods rich in it?

It is found in animal products: herring, pork, beef liver, and chicken eggs are particularly rich.

The following foods are the richest:

• Salty harangues
• Pork liver
• Amaranth
• Quinoa
• Lentils
• Egg whites
• Beef liver
• Sorghum
• Soya beans
• Chanterelles
• White beans
• Oats
• Peas

For those who like sweets, 25 grams of dark chocolate allows your body to release happiness hormones and supplies you with three milligrams.

Fe and vitamin C

Vitamin C is very good for your Fe as it helps absorb it in the intestine, and a glass of orange juice can help. Another option: Make a green smoothie with fresh fruit and high-iron spinach or kale.

Supplements

You should not take supplements based on suspicion. Too much can be harmful to your health. You should check your supply first, for example, by consulting a doctor or conducting a home test.

When do I need infusions or injections?

For some people, Fe test helps know when supplements aren’t enough to replenish stores, Doctors can monitor the valuin these cases and administer injections or infusions at high doses.

Traditional supplements may not be effective when :

• The intestine struggles to absorb it;
• The amount of red pigment must be increased quickly. This may be necessary, for example, in women in the third trimester of pregnancy;
• you have chronic bleeding, normally due to hereditary diseases such as Osler syndrome.

Excess

There may also be too much circulating in the body. Doctors call it hemochromatosis, the iron retention disease. Genetics are often to blame: the body retains too much due to a genetic defect. Other rarer causes are liver disease and impaired blood formation. People who receive donations can also develop excess.

Excess can cause symptoms that affect the entire body, such as the bronze colouring of the skin. It also increases the risk of disorders such as :

• liver disorders;
• cardiac arrhythmia;
• type 2 diabetes.

Blood letting helps prevent these consequences. The doctor draws 500 millilitres once or twice weekly to empty the reserves. If levels drop, samples may be taken less frequently. Despite this, treatment must be conducted throughout life 30.