Iron status profile (5 Biomarkers) -health test in store/home (self administered)

The Iron Status Profile is a private blood test measuring five iron biomarkers — ferritin, iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) and transferrin saturation — processed by London Medical Laboratory (LML), a UKAS-accredited ISO 15189 laboratory, and sold by Ways Pharmacy (UK).

Key facts

Who it is for

• People with tiredness, weakness, pale skin or breathlessness who want to check for iron deficiency
• People with heavy periods, or who have recently given blood, monitoring iron stores
• People on a vegetarian or vegan diet who want to confirm their iron status
• People taking iron supplements who want to check their levels are improving
• People wanting to check for iron overload (such as a family history of haemochromatosis)

Not suitable for: people who feel acutely unwell, faint or short of breath at rest — seek urgent medical care; use as a substitute for diagnosis by a doctor.

What is measured

• Ferritin — the main store of iron in the body; a key marker of whether your iron stores are low or high
• Iron — the amount of iron circulating in your blood
• Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) — how much iron your blood proteins can carry
• Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) — the spare capacity available to bind more iron
• Transferrin saturation — the percentage of iron-carrying capacity currently in use

How it works

1. Order online and choose your option: an in-store appointment or an at-home self-collection kit.
2. In store: attend Ways Pharmacy, 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET, where a trained phlebotomist takes a venous blood sample. At home: a finger-prick self-collection kit is posted to you; collect your sample and return it in the prepaid packaging.
3. Your sample is sent to London Medical Laboratory (LML) for analysis.
4. You receive a written report with results and reference ranges, typically within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample, with out-of-range values flagged.

Frequently asked questions

How long do results take?

Results are typically available within 3–5 working days from when the laboratory receives your sample. You receive a written report showing your five iron markers against reference ranges.

Where is the blood test done?

You can have the sample taken at our Holborn pharmacy (77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET) by appointment, or order an at-home self-collection kit that is posted to you and returned to the lab in prepaid packaging.

Is the laboratory accredited?

Yes. Your sample is processed by London Medical Laboratory (LML), a UKAS-accredited laboratory working to the ISO 15189 standard for medical laboratories.

What is the difference between iron and ferritin?

Iron measures the amount of iron circulating in your blood right now, while ferritin reflects your stored iron. Ferritin can fall before circulating iron does, so it is often the most useful early marker of low iron stores.

What happens if a result is abnormal?

Your results are reported with reference ranges and reviewed before release. If a value is outside the normal range, the pharmacist can explain it and discuss diet, supplementation or GP follow-up where appropriate. This test is not a diagnosis.

When to seek further advice

• Severe fatigue, breathlessness at rest or fainting needs prompt medical attention — contact your GP or NHS 111.
• Discuss your results with a clinician; abnormal results should be followed up with your GP.

This is a private health-screening service. Results are reported with reference ranges and are not a diagnosis. Discuss your results with a clinician; abnormal results should be followed up with your GP.