What is the difference between iron deficiency and anemia?

With an iron deficiency, your store runs out. Anemia only comes when there is so little iron left that you make less hemoglobin. So your store can already be empty while your hemoglobin is still normal.

What if my ferritin is too low?

Below 15 µg/L your iron store is empty. Then discuss with your GP where the shortage comes from and whether you need to top up your iron. Optimize does not diagnose or treat.

Is this test for men and women?

Yes. Your results compare your values with the limits for your age and sex. The ferritin example above is for women; for men the limits are higher.

Is this a subscription?

No. You pay once, €99, and you're not tied to anything.

Iron deficiency test. Iron, oxygen and B12, in one blood test.

Name: Iron deficiency test. Iron, oxygen and B12, in one blood test.
Creator: Optimize

Test your iron€99 Do I have an iron deficiency?

4.8 out of 5 after the blood test · 93 reviewsNo referral · results usually within 24 hours

01 What you find out

What does an iron deficiency test measure?

One number doesn't tell you whether your tiredness comes from your blood. This blood test gives you three answers.

Is your iron store empty?
Part of your iron is kept in store. That runs out first, long before your blood notices.
Is there enough oxygen?
LungsoxygenYour body
Your red blood cells carry oxygen around. With too little iron, you make fewer of them: anemia.
Or is it B12?
small: ironlarge: B12 or folate
Your blood cells need B12 and folate too. Their size shows which one is short.

The 14 values in this test

02 Reading your value

When is your ferritin too low?

Ferritin is your iron store. Your GP calls it empty below 15; on your results the line sits between 6 and 30.

20 µg/L

Grey zone

One lab calls this low, another normal. Your CRP and your iron saturation show whether your store is running out.

For women aged about 18 to 45; for men the limits are higher. An example, not a diagnosis.

03 Price

What does an iron deficiency test cost?

This test on its own

€99 one-off

14 values for your iron, your blood and B12. You pay yourself, and it doesn't count towards your deductible.

Test your iron

Added to the comprehensive testWith your heart, blood sugar, liver and kidneys: 52 values for €229€15 extra
Your vitamin D tooOne value, in the same blood draw€19 extra
Through your GPYour GP decides what is measuredDeductible with symptoms

Why one test costs less than another

A self-test usually measures one value: your ferritin or your hemoglobin.

	Self-test	At Optimize
Ferritin or hemoglobin
Iron and iron saturation
The size of your red blood cells
B12 and folate
CRP

04 The app

What your answer looks like

Your iron

Your store, your blood and your B12, explained in plain language.

Explained per value

What your value means, what affects it and what you can do yourself.

Talk to your AI coach

Ask your own values for advice. Comes with a single test too.

Your iron

Your store, your blood and your B12, explained in plain language.

Explained per value

What your value means, what affects it and what you can do yourself.

Talk to your AI coach

Ask your own values for advice. Comes with a single test too.

05 How it works

How do you get your iron tested?

Order online or in the app

In two minutes. You choose a draw location and a morning yourself.

IRON & FATIGUE

Single test€99 one-time

As an add-onfrom +€15To another test, in the same blood draw

Come fasting

Only water from midnight. Your iron varies over the day, so you draw in the morning, until 12:00.

APPOINTMENT

Health centre

1.2 KM · NEAR YOU

M14

T15

W16

T17

F18

S19

S20

Tue 15 Sep08:15

Read your results

Usually within 24 hours in the app, each value in plain language.

IRON & FATIGUE

Ferritin

14µg/L

Transferrin saturation

21.3%

Haemoglobin

8.1mmol/L

Vitamin B12

158pmol/L

06 Draw locations

Where can you get your iron tested?

Enter your postcode, address or town for the five nearest.

FAQ

What people often ask

What you want to know before you order.

Yes. You order the test online and schedule an appointment at a draw location yourself, without a referral. Want to discuss your results with your GP? Take them straight from the app.

One blood draw, and you know where you stand.

Whether your iron store is empty
Whether your blood carries enough oxygen
Whether it's your iron or your B12

€99 one-off

Test your iron

4.8 out of 5 after the blood test · 93 reviews

Sources 7

1.NHG guideline on anemia (M76, Dutch College of General Practitioners). 2024. richtlijnen.nhg.org
2.WHO, Guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. 2020. who.int
3.Thuisarts (Dutch), Anemia. thuisarts.nl
4.Unilabs, reference values ferritin. bepalingenklapper.nl
5.Star-shl, reference values ferritin. star-shl.nl
6.Certe, reference values ferritin. bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl
7.Clinical Diagnostics, reference values ferritin. clinicaldiagnostics.nl

Iron deficiency test. Iron, oxygen and B12, in one blood test.

What does an iron deficiency test measure?

Is your iron store empty?

Is there enough oxygen?

Or is it B12?

When is your ferritin too low?