Eisen-Ferritin Selbsttest: which blood markers matter?

For an iron-ferritin self-test, the key blood markers are: ferritin (iron storage), serum iron, transferrin saturation, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and hemoglobin. Ferritin is the most important indicator of iron stores, but it is an acute-phase protein – inflammation or infection can falsely elevate levels. Therefore, including C-reactive protein (CRP) is advisable to rule out inflammation. Transferrin saturation reflects current iron supply to tissues, while TIBC indicates the iron-binding capacity of transferrin. Low serum iron with high TIBC suggests iron deficiency. Hemoglobin reveals whether anemia is present. Important: self-tests provide initial screening, not a diagnosis. Results can be affected by time of day, food intake, or hidden inflammation. If values are abnormal, medical follow-up with additional parameters (e.g., soluble transferrin receptor, hepcidin) and a search for underlying causes (blood loss, malabsorption) is necessary. The evidence for the clinical utility of these markers is strong, but interpretation requires medical context – a standalone self-test without professional evaluation can be misleading.