PRIMA Iron FER Test

PRIMA Labs Iron-FER Test detects the concentration of ferritin in blood, in order to define a possible iron deficiency in body. Several clinical studies have shown that the determination of ferritin levels in blood can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of an iron deficiency anaemia. A decrease can be also caused by pregnancy, tuberculosis, haemorrhages and alterations in iron uptake.

Ferritin is a protein that allows the storage of iron inside cells and releases it in case of need, making it quickly usable by the body. This protein is present in all cells, particularly in those of the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Iron is an essential metal for our bodies and is crucial for transporting oxygen in blood. Verifying the levels of ferritin in the blood means evaluating the iron stores in the body. In a state of iron deficiency, reserves are reduced before the anaemia manifestly manifests itself: the level of ferritin is therefore useful for determining a depletion of iron stores.

The Iron-FER Test can be easily used at home from puberty, around 15 years, because before normal levels are higher than the decision value of the cut-off level of this test. The Iron-FER Test is recommended for all those who have a healthy and balanced life and, above all, for pregnant women: during pregnancy the need for iron is double and a deficiency in this stage of development can lead to complications at the brain of the foetus.

The Iron-FER Test is an immunochromatographic assay which detects the protein ferritin in blood thanks to special monoclonal gold-conjugate antibodies embedded into the test strip.

This device can detect a lower ferritin level, or higher, than 20 ng / mL, in accordance with international guidelines. Results in just 10 minutes.

If you find yourself in iron deficiency you do not receive enough oxygenated blood, so you will feel very tired, exhausted and breathless enough to have some difficulty in carrying out your normal daily activities until you get to much more serious pathological conditions.

Checking the level of ferritin in the blood is an excellent way to check the iron stock in the body and, consequently, to promptly identify a possible state of iron deficiency anaemia. In case of a positive result, you can contact your primary care physician to adopt the most suitable therapeutic solution.

1 test cassette
1 vial with dropper containing the diluent
2 sterile lancets
1 pipette for blood sampling
1 cleanser gauze
Instructions for use

Draw a blood sample by using the sterile lancet provided;

Collect the sample indicated with the black line by using the capillary pipette provided;

Deposit the collected specimen into the sample well (S) indicated on the test cassette;

Add 2 drops of the diluent and wait 5 minutes before reading the result.

Negative - Ferritin levels in the blood are above 30ng/mL. Cases where the ferritin concentration is just below this value (27ng/mL-29ng/mL) can give a similar result

Positive - Ferritin value in blood is lower than the cut-off, it is necessary to consult your doctor. 

PRIMA Iron FER Test checks ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is the storage protein for iron, so it gives you a better sense of your iron reserves than symptoms alone. This matters because low ferritin can show up before iron deficiency becomes more obvious.

That makes PRIMA Iron FER Test useful when tiredness, breathlessness, low energy or heavy demands on iron stores are the main concern. Ferritin testing is commonly used in iron assessment for exactly this reason, and the home kit gives you a quick first screening step when you want to check whether low iron stores might be part of the picture.

What does PRIMA Iron FER Test measure?
It measures ferritin in the blood. Ferritin reflects the amount of stored iron in the body.

Why is ferritin useful instead of checking symptoms alone?
Symptoms of low iron can overlap with many other issues. Ferritin gives you a more direct indication of whether iron stores may be running low.

When would PRIMA Iron FER Test be useful?
It can be useful if you are feeling unusually tired, breathless or run down, or if you want to keep an eye on iron status during periods of higher need.

Does a low result mean I should start iron straight away?
It is better to treat the result as a prompt for proper follow-up. A healthcare professional can help confirm the cause and work out the most suitable next step.