Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional shortfalls in the world, and a frequent reason behind unexplained tiredness. It can develop slowly and quietly, so many people put the symptoms down to a busy life long before they think to get tested. The good news is that a simple set of blood tests can confirm it — and, just as importantly, help work out why it happened.
Why iron matters
Iron is the raw material your body uses to make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. When iron runs low, you make fewer healthy red cells and deliver less oxygen to your muscles and brain — which is why fatigue and breathlessness are such classic signs. A prolonged shortfall leads to iron-deficiency anaemia.
The common symptoms
Iron deficiency can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Tiredness and low energy, even after resting
- Pale skin or an unusually pale inner eyelid
- Breathlessness on mild exertion, or a racing heartbeat
- Hair thinning or more shedding than usual
- Restless legs, particularly at night
- Brittle nails, headaches, or a sore tongue
- Unusual cravings for non-food items such as ice (known as pica)
Who is most at risk?
Some groups lose or need more iron than others:
- Women with heavy or frequent periods
- People who are pregnant or recently gave birth
- Those eating little dietary iron — for example some vegetarian or vegan diets, or restricted eating
- People with gut absorption problems such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
- Anyone with a source of slow blood loss, which always needs investigating
The tests that confirm it
A few markers together give the clearest picture:
- Ferritin — reflects your iron stores and is the most useful single marker. One catch: ferritin also rises with infection or inflammation, so it can occasionally look falsely normal.
- Serum iron — the amount of iron circulating in your blood right now.
- Transferrin / iron binding capacity — the transport protein that carries iron; it tends to rise when stores are low.
Measured alongside a full blood count, these help distinguish true iron deficiency from other causes of anaemia.
Check your iron
An iron profile measures ferritin, serum iron and transferrin together — a far more complete picture than ferritin alone.
Book an iron profileTreating the cause, not just the number
If iron is low, supplements and iron-rich foods (red meat, pulses, leafy greens, fortified cereals) can restore your levels. But because iron deficiency is often a sign of something else — heavy periods, dietary shortfall, or blood loss from the gut — your doctor will want to understand why it developed rather than simply topping it up. This is especially important if there's no obvious explanation.
When to get checked
If you've been unusually tired, breathless or noticing more hair shedding — particularly if you have heavy periods or a limited iron intake — an iron profile is a quick, worthwhile check. Confirming it is the first step towards feeling like yourself again.
Check your iron with OneMedicine
Book online — CQC-registered clinic in Birmingham, or a home visit / local clinic nationwide. Doctor-reviewed results, most within 24 hours.
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Specialist interest: Cardiovascular Medicine · OneMedicine, CQC-registered clinic