Iron blood test · Plymouth
Tired, with a normal blood count?
You can have low Iron stores without being anaemic. Ferritin and full Iron Studies find what a basic blood count misses. No GP referral needed.
Why test
Low Iron is often missed.
Iron runs low in stages. First your stores (Ferritin) drop, then the Iron in your blood, and only then your Haemoglobin. You can feel exhausted long before a Full Blood Count looks abnormal.
Heavy periods, pregnancy, a plant-based diet, blood donation and endurance training all raise the risk.
Good to know
- A morning appointment gives the best result
- Stop Iron supplements 24 hours before
- Results the next working day
- No GP referral needed
- Prices are on our price list
Choose your test
Choose your test.
Ferritin is the most sensitive single marker. Iron Status gives the fuller picture, which helps when inflammation makes Ferritin look falsely normal.
Iron stores. The most sensitive single marker for low Iron.
Iron, Ferritin, Transferrin, Transferrin Saturation and Iron Binding Capacity. Better than Ferritin alone, which can look falsely normal with inflammation.
22 results. Full Blood Count, complete Iron Studies, Vitamin B12, Folate and High-Sensitivity CRP.
What is measured
What the markers tell us.
| Marker | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ferritin | Your Iron stores | The key marker. Many people feel tired when Ferritin is low, even with normal Haemoglobin. |
| Serum Iron | Iron in your blood right now | Changes through the day, so it is read alongside Ferritin. |
| Iron Binding Capacity | How much Iron your blood could carry | High when your body is short of Iron. |
| Transferrin Saturation | How much of your Iron transport is in use | Low with Iron deficiency. High can suggest Iron overload. |
Right here in Plymouth
Local care, close to home.
Your blood test is at Tor Clinical Rooms, 3 Darklake View, Plymouth PL6 7TL. Free parking on site, and easy to reach from the A38.
Who it is for
Worth testing if you have…
- Ongoing tiredness
- Breathless on exertion
- Hair thinning
- Cold hands and feet
- Restless legs
- Heavy periods
- A vegetarian or vegan diet
- Poor concentration
Before your test
A morning appointment gives the most accurate result.
Stop Iron supplements for 24 hours before your test, as they raise the result.
Your results
What your results mean.
What counts as low depends on your symptoms. A Ferritin within the lab range can still be low enough to cause tiredness, and we read it in context.
If your Iron is low, we explain treatment options and how to take Iron so it is absorbed well. It is also important to find out why it is low, such as heavy periods, diet or absorption problems.
Blood tests give information. They do not diagnose a condition on their own. We explain your results in the context of your symptoms, medicines and history.
How it works
Four simple steps.
Book online, by phone on 01752 938102, or by email at Hello@TamarHealth.com.
Book
Pick your test and a time. £25 secures your slot, and the balance is paid in clinic.
Fill in your new patient form
Once you have booked, we send you a form. Tell us which test you want, and share your medical history so we can make sure it is right for you.
Come to the clinic
A morning appointment is best. Stop Iron supplements for 24 hours before. The sample takes a few minutes.
Get your results
Most results come back the next working day, by email, with a clinician summary in plain English. Anything urgent, we phone you the same day.
Questions people ask
The things people most often ask before booking.
About low iron
Can I have low Iron without anaemia?
Yes. Your stores can be low while your Haemoglobin is still normal. That is why Ferritin matters.
How long does Iron treatment take to work?
Many people feel better within 2 to 3 weeks, but stores take 6 to 8 weeks or more to recover. A repeat test then shows whether levels are rising.
I am vegetarian. Will my Iron be low?
Not necessarily, but the risk is higher, because Iron from plants is absorbed less well. Testing is the only way to know.
What our patients say
Other ways we can help
Book your blood test
No GP referral needed. Most results the next working day.