Newfoundland Health Iron Deficiency Self Test

Our at-home Iron Deficiency Test Kit is a quick and reliable way to determine if you have low iron levels in your blood. Iron is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in the body’s functioning, helping to transport oxygen through the bloodstream and supporting cell multiplication.

If you suspect that you may be iron deficient, it is important to investigate the cause as it may be due to blood loss from internal bleeding or other underlying health issues. Low levels of iron are often indicative of anaemia, a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells.

The symptoms of iron depletion and iron deficiency anaemia can be debilitating and include extreme fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, muscle and joint pain, weight gain, pale skin, heart palpitations, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and sleep problems.

Using our test kit, you can quickly and easily determine if you have low iron levels in your blood. The results of the test will be displayed in just five minutes. A normal result, indicated by the appearance of two lines in the window, means that your iron levels are within a healthy range.

Instructions

To ensure accurate results from your Iron Deficiency Test Kit, proper specimen collection and preparation are essential. Follow these simple steps to ensure that you obtain a valid blood sample:

1. Wash and dry your hands with clear warm water to ensure that your hands are clean and free from any contaminants that may interfere with the test.
2. Make sure that the kit is at room temperature before starting. Open the foil pouch and take out the plastic test cassette.
3. Pull the cap off the lancet, which is included in the kit. Be sure to discard the used lancet safely.
4. Use the alcohol pad provided to clean the fingertip of either your middle or ring finger. This will help to minimize the risk of infection.
5. Press the orange end of the lancet against the fingertip. The tip will retract automatically and safely after use.
6. Once your skin has been pricked by the lancet, keep your hand pointing downwards and massage the end of your finger to obtain a blood drop.
7. Take the dropper provided and place it in contact with the blood. You don’t need to squeeze the dropper as it will absorb the blood automatically. Allow the blood to migrate into the dropper up to the line indicated, avoiding air bubbles if you can. If the blood does not reach the line, you may need to massage your finger again.
8. Place the collected blood into the sample well of the cassette by squeezing the dropper bulb. Be sure to avoid touching the sample well with your fingers or other contaminants.
9. Unscrew the cap of the buffer bottle and add one drop of buffer solution into the sample well of the cassette.
10. Start a timer and wait for the coloured line(s) to appear. The results should be read at five minutes, and you should not interpret the result after ten minutes.

Following these steps will ensure that you obtain an accurate and reliable blood sample for your Iron Deficiency Test Kit. If you have any questions or concerns, consult the instructions that come with the kit or contact a healthcare professional for assistance.