Iron deficiency and anaemia: haemoglobin or ferritin?

Haemoglobin and ferritin

• Haemoglobin: the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. A low level means anaemia.
• Ferritin: reflects the body's iron stores. It can fall before haemoglobin is affected, so iron deficiency can start before anaemia appears.

Ferritin can also rise with inflammation and some illnesses, so your doctor may order other tests to complete the picture. Also read how to understand a complete blood count.

Possible symptoms

Tiredness, shortness of breath on exertion, dizziness, pale skin, hair loss, brittle nails and sometimes craving ice. There may be no clear symptoms at first.

Why the cause matters

Iron deficiency has different causes: a diet low in iron, heavy periods, pregnancy, hidden bleeding from the digestive system or poor absorption. Some types of anaemia that are common in the region, such as thalassaemia, are not treated with iron. That is why your doctor finds the cause before prescribing treatment.

Food sources of iron

• Red meat, chicken and fish.
• Pulses such as lentils and fava beans, and leafy greens.
• A source of vitamin C with the meal helps absorption, while tea and coffee with food reduce it.

Where does HealTrip fit in?

HealTrip is working to show your blood count and iron results over time in one place, so your doctor can follow them easily and decide the next step.