Anemia blood test: hemoglobin, iron and B12 measured

Symptoms like fatigue, paleness, dizziness or palpitations can sometimes be linked to anemia, though they can also have other causes. An anemia blood test can help you get a clearer view.

With anemia, there may be too little hemoglobin or too few healthy red blood cells in your blood. This panel looks not only at your hemoglobin, but also at your iron stores and vitamin B12, so you get a broader view of where a shortage might come from.

This test can be useful if you notice your energy running low, or if you are curious about your iron and hemoglobin levels. Think of women with heavy periods, where iron is regularly lost.

If you eat vegetarian or vegan, are pregnant, or have recently given birth, your need for iron and B12 can be higher. A blood test can then be a handy way to map your values, without having to visit your GP first.

This panel looks at seven blood values that together can say something about anemia and its possible causes:

• Hemoglobin: the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen; a low value can fit with anemia.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): gives an overview of your red and white blood cells and platelets, including the size of your red cells.
• Iron (Serum): the amount of iron in your blood, a building block for hemoglobin.
• Ferritin: reflects your iron stores and can drop before your hemoglobin responds.
• Transferrin: the transport protein that carries iron through your body.
• Transferrin Saturation: shows how much of your transferrin is actually loaded with iron.
• Vitamin B12: a vitamin you need for the production of red blood cells.

The results can give you an impression of whether there are signs of anemia, and whether a possible shortage seems to sit more with iron or with vitamin B12. Your hemoglobin and blood count give a broad overview, while ferritin and transferrin saturation say more about your iron stores.

A low ferritin value, for example, can point to declining iron stores before your hemoglobin changes. On its own this test does not make a diagnosis, but it can offer useful reference points that you can review together with your GP.

This panel requires a small blood draw at a certified lab. In the Netherlands you can choose from 700+ sample points, so there is a good chance one is close to you.

After ordering, you pick a location and a moment that suits you. The draw itself usually takes only a few minutes, and you do not need a referral from your GP.

An anemia blood test can be valuable at different moments, for example:

• when you feel tired or run down for a long time and want to know if your blood values fit with that
• when you have heavy periods and want to keep an eye on your iron level
• when you eat a plant-based diet and are curious about your iron and vitamin B12
• when you had a low hemoglobin before and want to measure your hb value again

Some people choose to test now and then to stay informed about their values.

Your result shows where you stand for each value, together with a reference range and a short explanation. What counts as usual can vary by laboratory and from person to person.

A hemoglobin value below the range can fit with anemia, while your ferritin, iron and transferrin saturation help explore whether iron plays a role. The doctor helps you place these values in the right context.

Your result is usually available online within a few working days. Each value is shown clearly with a reference range and an explanation, so you understand what you see.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.