Anaemia test

Check your iron, haemoglobin and ferritin levels.

  •  
  • Test anonymously from home
  • ISO-certified laboratory
  • Reliable, discreet and secure
  • Pickup point / parcel locker available
  • Results validated by a biochemist
Now €59,00
Anaemia test
our benefits anaemia test
discreetly shipped

Anaemia test

An anaemia test measures haemoglobin (Hb), ferritin and iron to provide insight into your iron status.


Testing method

Finger-prick test
We test for:
Ferritin
Haemoglobin
Iron

€59,00

  • Discreet verpakt en anoniem getest
  • Past door de brievenbus
  • Getest in ISO-gecertificeerd laboratorium
  • Pickup Point / pakketautomaat mogelijk
  • Resultaat gevalideerd door biochemicus
  • Meer dan 1.800 mensen gingen je voor. Beoordeeld met een 9,7!
About the anaemia test

What does an anaemia test involve?

An anaemia test is a medical test that checks whether you may have anaemia. It measures, among other things, the levels of haemoglobin (Hb), iron and ferritin in your blood.

  • Haemoglobin (Hb) is a protein in your red blood cells that transports oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
  • Iron is needed to produce haemoglobin. Without enough iron, your body cannot produce enough red blood cells containing haemoglobin.
  • Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body, mainly in the liver and bone marrow and, to a lesser extent, in your blood. Your ferritin level therefore provides a good indication of your body’s iron stores.

If your ferritin level is too low, this usually indicates an iron deficiency, which can cause anaemia.

What is tested in an anaemia test?

An anaemia test measures several blood markers:

  • Haemoglobin (Hb) – to determine whether your blood has sufficient oxygen-carrying capacity.
  • Iron – to assess whether there is enough iron available to produce haemoglobin.
  • Ferritin – to provide insight into your body’s iron stores.

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia. That is why this test looks not only at Hb, but also at your iron status. The results can help indicate whether anaemia or an iron deficiency may be present and provide insight into possible causes.

What is anaemia?

Anaemia means that you have too few healthy red blood cells or that your red blood cells contain too little haemoglobin. As a result, less oxygen can be transported throughout your body, which can cause symptoms such as:

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale skin
  • Heart palpitations

The most common cause of anaemia is iron deficiency. However, anaemia can also be caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid, chronic diseases or blood loss. Approximately one-third of a red blood cell consists of haemoglobin, which also gives your blood its red colour.

Symptoms of anaemia

Discover the symptoms of anaemia

Are you wondering whether you might have anaemia? There are several signs to look out for. Anaemia occurs when your body has too few red blood cells or too little haemoglobin, resulting in less oxygen being transported to your organs and muscles. This can cause a range of symptoms.

Below is an overview of common symptoms of anaemia:

1. Fatigue and weakness

Do you often feel tired or lacking in energy, even after getting enough sleep? Fatigue is the most common symptom of anaemia. Your muscles and organs receive less oxygen, which can affect your energy levels.

2. Shortness of breath during exercise

Do you get out of breath more quickly when climbing stairs or cycling? With anaemia, your body has to work harder to transport enough oxygen, which can cause shortness of breath during physical activity.

3. Dizziness or light-headedness

Dizziness, especially when standing up suddenly, can occur with anaemia. This may happen because your brain temporarily receives less oxygen.

4. Heart palpitations

Your heart may beat faster or harder because it has to work harder to transport enough oxygen-rich blood around your body. You may notice this as a pounding sensation in your chest or throat.

5. Pale skin or lips

Pale skin, particularly on the face, inside the eyelids or on the lips, can be a sign of a reduced number of red blood cells.

6. Headaches

Reduced oxygen supply to the brain can cause headaches or a heavy feeling in the head.

7. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Some people with anaemia experience ringing or buzzing in their ears. This may be related to changes in blood flow.

8. Excessive sweating

Although less well known, anaemia can sometimes cause increased sweating. This may occur because your body has to work harder to maintain oxygen supply.

9. Fainting or feeling faint

More severe anaemia can cause a feeling that you are about to faint, particularly with sudden movements or on hot days.

Biomarker summary

Anaemia: A deficiency of haemoglobin

Anaemia occurs when your body has too little haemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen. This can be caused by reduced production of red blood cells or by them being broken down faster than normal. The most common form of anaemia is iron-deficiency anaemia, caused by insufficient iron. Other nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin A, can also cause low haemoglobin levels. Chronic blood loss, for example during menstruation or from the digestive tract, as well as intestinal disorders, pregnancy, chronic diseases or hereditary conditions can also play a role.

Haemoglobin: What is it and why is it important?

Haemoglobin is an essential protein in your red blood cells. It transports oxygen from your lungs to your organs and carries carbon dioxide back to your lungs to be exhaled. Haemoglobin also gives blood its characteristic red colour. A low haemoglobin level can lead to anaemia and symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin and shortness of breath. However, a high haemoglobin level can also cause problems. This can occur, for example, due to:

  • Smoking
  • Dehydration
  • Staying at high altitude
  • Heart or lung conditions

In these situations, the body may produce additional haemoglobin to ensure sufficient oxygen transport.

Ferritin: Your iron stores

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body, mainly in the liver and bone marrow, and in smaller amounts in your blood. Iron is essential for producing haemoglobin. A low ferritin level usually indicates an iron deficiency. If your iron stores remain low and are not replenished, your haemoglobin level may eventually decrease as well. This can lead to anaemia, with symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness and reduced resistance to infections. A ferritin test provides insight into your body’s iron stores and can help detect an early deficiency, even before anaemia develops.

Iron: Essential for oxygen transport

Iron is a mineral that plays a key role in the production of haemoglobin and the transport of oxygen through the blood. Iron is also important for:

  • Enzyme function
  • Growth and development
  • A properly functioning immune system

Iron deficiency can lead to iron-deficiency anaemia. Typical symptoms include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and dizziness. A simple blood test can measure your iron level and help identify whether dietary changes or, if necessary, iron supplements may be needed.

Test process and laboratory results

What is included in the anaemia test kit?

The anaemia test kit contains everything you need to collect a blood sample safely and easily at home.

What does the anaemia home test result tell you?

This test measures your haemoglobin, iron and ferritin levels. The results can indicate whether you may have anaemia or an iron deficiency. Healthy haemoglobin levels are essential for transporting oxygen throughout your body and therefore play an important role in your energy levels, concentration and overall wellbeing.

How reliable is this home test?

Your blood sample is analysed in a professional laboratory that also works with hospitals and government institutions. Our partner laboratories are ISO 15189-accredited, ensuring high standards of quality and reliability. Test results provide a snapshot in time and can be influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, medication and the time of sample collection. Abnormal results do not automatically mean that you have a medical condition.

The test method has a very high level of accuracy:

  • Sensitivity: almost 100% – detects virtually all cases of anaemia.
  • Specificity: almost 100% – accurately rules out anaemia in people without the condition.

You can therefore rely on a highly accurate result.

How quickly will I receive my results?

Once you have collected and sent your blood sample, you will usually receive your results within one working day after the laboratory has received your sample. You will receive an email when the analysis is complete, with a link to your personal and secure online dashboard.

Test kit contents

What about my privacy?

We keep your testing as anonymous as possible. How do we do that?

Your order

Your order details are retained for as long as necessary and are removed from the webshop after 2 months.

Your test kit

Your order is delivered in discreet, unbranded packaging. The test kit itself also contains no visible information about what is being tested.

The laboratory

For an anonymous analysis, you can choose to share only your date of birth and gender with the laboratory. No other personal information is shared.

Your result

You can download your laboratory result for one month. After this period, we automatically delete the report.

Your account

You can delete your account at any time. If your account is inactive for 2 years, it will be automatically deleted.

This is how we test anonymously.

Group 3

How does it work?

Your result in four simple steps
Order a test
Step 1

Order a test

After placing your order, you will receive the test kit in discreet packaging. Use the information provided in the box to activate your test kit.
You will receive your order in discreet packaging.
Collect and send your sample
Step 2

Collect and send your sample

You can easily collect the samples yourself whenever it suits you and return them free of charge in the enclosed return envelope.
With our free return envelope.
Sample analysis
Step 3

Sample analysis

Once your sample has arrived at the laboratory, you will usually receive your test result within one working day.
Results usually within 1–2 working days.
Receive your results
Step 4

Receive your results

You will receive an email when your test result is ready, and you can view your result online in a secure environment.
View and download your results in your secure online account.

Frequently Asked Questions Everything about Anaemia test

Yes, an iron deficiency can have harmful effects on your health. Common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Brittle nails
  • Pale skin

More serious effects are also possible. For example, low iron levels can:

  • Contribute to worsening conditions, such as breathing problems
  • Slow cognitive development in young children
  • Increase the risk of premature birth in pregnant women

If you suspect an iron deficiency, it is advisable to take a blood test and take timely action if necessary.

With proper treatment, most people notice a clear improvement in their symptoms within 2 to 3 months. However, it often takes longer to fully restore the body’s iron stores.

That is why doctors usually recommend continuing to take iron supplements for several additional months, even if you already feel better. This helps prevent the anaemia from returning quickly.

In many cases, anaemia is temporary and can be treated effectively. For example, when it is caused by:

  • Insufficient nutrition (such as a deficiency of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid)
  • Blood loss, for example due to menstruation or surgery

With dietary changes, the use of supplements, or treatment of the underlying cause, anaemia can often completely disappear.

However, sometimes anaemia is caused by a chronic or hereditary condition, such as:

  • Genetic blood disorders (e.g. sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia)
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney or liver diseases

In these cases, anaemia is often long-lasting, but it can be medically managed with the right treatment and follow-up.

Several studies show that chronic stress can affect your iron metabolism and the levels of other essential minerals. However, there is no direct evidence that stress alone causes an iron deficiency or anaemia.

Long-term stress can affect your appetite, nutrient absorption, and hormonal balance, all of which may indirectly contribute to a deficiency. Reducing stress is therefore always a good idea for your overall health and well-being.

Anaemia can cause symptoms such as:

  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Shortness of breath during physical activity
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Dizziness or feeling light-headed
  • Sometimes headaches, paleness, or cold hands and feet

The only reliable way to determine whether you have anaemia is through a blood test. This measures, among other things, your haemoglobin and iron levels.

In an anaemia blood test, the following important parameters are usually measured:

  • Haemoglobin (Hb) – determines whether anaemia is actually present
  • Ferritin – provides insight into your body’s iron stores
  • Serum iron (iron in the blood) – shows how much iron is circulating in your blood at that moment
  • Haematocrit (Hct) – indicates what percentage of your blood consists of red blood cells
  • MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) – the average volume of your red blood cells; helps distinguish between different types of anaemia (for example, due to iron deficiency or vitamin deficiency)

Sometimes other values are also measured, such as vitamin B12 or folic acid, if there is suspicion of a cause other than iron deficiency.

Anaemia, also known as blood deficiency, means that you have too little haemoglobin (Hb) in your blood. Haemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that transports oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. It gives your blood its red colour and also plays a role in removing carbon dioxide.

When there is a shortage of haemoglobin, your organs and muscles receive less oxygen. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

Our anaemia test is indeed more accurate than many rapid tests. Many rapid tests are less reliable because your blood sample is not analysed in a professional laboratory.

At Labtest.nl, this is different: your sample is analysed in an accredited laboratory that also works with GPs and hospitals. This means you receive a medically reliable result based on the same testing method used in regular healthcare.

This gives you confidence about whether or not you have anaemia.

At the moment, we do not have reimbursement agreements with health insurers. At Labtest.nl, we offer the test at an affordable price, so you can easily and affordably gain insight into your health.

This is certainly possible. At Labtest.nl, you can choose from various home tests that allow you to check the levels of important vitamins and minerals from the comfort of your own home.

The biggest advantage of this test kit is convenience: you can perform the test at home, without an appointment with your GP or a testing centre. With a simple finger prick, you can collect a small blood sample yourself, and within a few days you will receive the reliable results in your secure online dashboard Labtest.health. Fast, clear, and completely on your own schedule.

If anaemia is not addressed in time, it can lead to serious health problems, such as:

  • Extreme fatigue and low energy
  • Complications during pregnancy, such as an increased risk of premature birth
  • Heart problems, because the heart has to work harder to pump oxygen around the body
  • Growth and development problems in children, especially with long-term deficiencies

Early detection and treatment are therefore important to prevent symptoms and help your body function properly.

A healthy, iron-rich diet can help prevent or replenish an iron deficiency and therefore also help prevent anaemia. This is especially important if you:

  • Are pregnant
  • Are vegetarian or vegan
  • Have a chronic condition
  • Or have heavy menstrual periods

Foods that are rich in iron include:

  • Red meat: such as beef and lamb
  • Fish and seafood: salmon, trout, shrimp, oysters
  • Whole grain products: various types of bread and cereals
  • Legumes: such as lentils, chickpeas, and black beans
  • Seeds and nuts
  • Dried fruit: such as raisins, apricots, and dates
  • Vegetables: kale, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, fennel, broad beans, and tomato products

Tip: Combine iron-rich foods with something high in vitamin C (such as oranges or bell peppers) to improve iron absorption.

Our home tests are scientifically validated and specifically developed for reliable use at home. Each test sample is analysed in an ISO 15189-accredited laboratory, which meets the same quality standards as hospitals and GP practices. The tests have been carefully tested and approved by medical professionals. Only medically validated tests may be offered through Labtest.nl.

This ensures that you have a reliable and safe way to monitor your health, simply from the comfort of your own home.

No, they are not the same. An iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia, but anaemia can also develop due to other factors, such as:

  • A deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid
  • Chronic conditions
  • Hereditary blood disorders
  • Or excessive blood loss

In other words: every iron deficiency can cause anaemia, but not all anaemia is caused by an iron deficiency.

No, not exactly. Ferritin is a protein that helps with the storage of iron in your body. A low ferritin level indicates an iron deficiency, but it does not automatically mean that you also have anaemia.

Anaemia only develops when your body has too few red blood cells or too little haemoglobin. Iron deficiency is one possible cause, but there are also other causes, such as a deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid, or a chronic condition.

A low ferritin level can therefore be an early stage of anaemia. It is important to notice and monitor this in time.

The most common cause of anaemia is an iron deficiency. However, there are also other factors that can contribute, such as:

  • A deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid
  • Hereditary forms of anaemia (such as sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia)
  • Chronic conditions, such as kidney disease or autoimmune diseases
  • Blood loss, for example due to heavy menstruation or stomach/intestinal problems
  • Possibly even long-term stress – recent research (Wei, Zhou, Huang & Li, 2008) suggests that stress may play a role in the development of anaemia.

Because the causes can vary, it is important to have a blood test if you experience symptoms or have concerns. This will help you understand your situation and take targeted action.

Yes, many people have an increased risk of developing anaemia, often without realizing it.

Factors that increase the risk include:

  • Insufficient nutrients, such as iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid
  • Intestinal problems that interfere with the absorption of nutrients

Chronic conditions such as:

  • Autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Kidney problems
  • Cancer
  • Liver diseases
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
  • Menstruation or pregnancy
  • A vegan or vegetarian lifestyle
  • Older age

Many people with anaemia do not notice clear symptoms until it is discovered by chance during a blood test.

In the Netherlands, approximately 12.5% of the population has anaemia.

Worldwide, this percentage is even higher: around 25%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Because anaemia often goes unnoticed but can affect your energy levels, concentration, and overall health, it is important to test for it regularly.