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Self-assessment · 13 questions

Hidden iron deficiency

Fatigue, paleness, hair loss, cold hands — these are common signs of iron deficiency. Answer 13 questions about symptoms and risk factors — the test will gauge how pronounced the signs are and suggest what to do next. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis: deficiency is confirmed by a blood test interpretation.

13questions ~3 minto complete 0–100%risk scale localdata is not transmitted

Iron deficiency: red blood cells, ferritin, hemoglobin

~2billion

people worldwide live with iron deficiency — the most common micronutrient deficiency

<30ng/mL

the ferritin level below which iron deficiency is likely

questions about symptoms and risk factors at the core of the screening

~3min

to complete the test — the calculation runs in your browser

How the test works

From symptoms to a risk level

The test draws on the typical clinical signs of iron deficiency and well-established risk factors. Each answer is converted into points; the total is compared with the maximum to give a percentage that reflects how pronounced the symptoms are — this determines the risk level and the set of personalized recommendations. How the deficiency develops and which tests matter — in the full guide to iron deficiency.

01

12

Symptoms

12 questions about how you feel (fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath…). Each answer scores from 0 to 3 points.
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02

+

Risk factors

You mark risk factors (menstruation, diet, blood donation…) — each adds 1.5 points.
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03

Σ

Total score

The points are added up (maximum 48) and converted into a percentage of the maximum.
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04

%

Risk level

0–33% — low, 34–66% — moderate, 67–100% — high. Plus personalized recommendations.

Take the test

Choose the answer that best describes how you have felt over the past 4–6 weeks. There are no right or wrong answers — the more honest you are, the more accurate the result.

0 / 13 questions

Symptoms and how you feel

Do you often feel tired even after getting enough rest?

No, I rarely feel tired without a reason0 Sometimes, but it is mild and infrequent1 Yes, I often feel tired even after a good night's sleep2 I feel severe fatigue that affects my daily activities3

Do you experience unusual weakness or a lack of energy?

No, my energy level is normal0 Sometimes I feel a little weaker than usual1 Yes, I often feel weak and have less energy than before2 I often experience severe weakness that limits my activities3

Have you noticed that your skin has become paler than usual — especially your face, nails, or the inner surface of your lower eyelids?

No, my skin color is normal0 Maybe a little paler than usual1 Yes, I have noticed my skin is paler than usual2 My skin has become noticeably pale, and others notice it too3

Do you experience shortness of breath during everyday activities that used to cause no breathing problems?

No, my breathing is normal0 Sometimes, during more strenuous activities1 Yes, sometimes even with light exertion — for example, climbing stairs2 I often struggle to catch my breath even with minimal effort3

Do you often have headaches?

No, rarely or never0 Sometimes, but no more often than usual1 Yes, I get headaches more often than before2 Frequent or severe headaches that affect daily life3

Do you feel dizzy or lightheaded, especially when you stand up?

No, I rarely feel dizzy0 Sometimes, but it passes quickly1 Yes, I quite often feel dizzy or lightheaded2 I often experience severe dizziness that throws off my balance3

Do you feel cold more often than those around you, or have cold hands and feet even in a warm environment?

No, my tolerance to temperature is normal0 Sometimes I feel a little colder than others1 Yes, I am often cold when others are warm2 I am cold almost all the time, especially my hands and feet, regardless of the temperature3

Do you experience palpitations — a feeling that your heart is racing, pounding, or skipping beats?

No, my heartbeat seems normal0 Rarely, usually after physical exertion or caffeine1 Sometimes, even when I am at rest2 Often, and it worries me3

Do you have an unusual craving for non-food items — ice, dirt, clay, or paper? (pica)

No, I have no such cravings0 I sometimes crave ice, but no other non-food items1 Yes, I regularly crave ice or other non-food items2 I often have cravings and sometimes eat non-food items3

Have you noticed increased hair loss, or have your nails become brittle and prone to breaking?

No, my hair and nails are fine0 Possibly a little more hair loss, or slightly more brittle1 Yes, noticeably more hair loss or brittle nails2 Hair loss is significant, or my nails are very brittle and break easily3

Do you experience uncomfortable sensations in your legs with an urge to move them, especially at night? (restless legs syndrome)

No, I do not experience this0 Sometimes, but it has little effect on my sleep1 Yes, regularly, and it sometimes disrupts my sleep2 Often, and it significantly disrupts my sleep3

Do you have trouble concentrating, or experience "brain fog"?

No, my concentration is normal0 Sometimes it is harder to concentrate than before1 Yes, I regularly have trouble concentrating2 Often serious difficulty concentrating, or heavy brain fog3

Risk factors

Do you have any of these risk factors? You can select several options — each adds 1.5 points

Heavy menstrual periods+1.5 Pregnancy or recent childbirth+1.5 Recent blood loss or surgery+1.5 Vegetarian or vegan diet+1.5 Intense training / endurance athlete+1.5 Digestive disorders (celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) +1.5 Regular use of antacids or acid blockers +1.5 Regular blood donor+1.5 None of the above0

The test is processed locally — your data is not transmitted.

Iron deficiency test result

of 100%

Personalized recommendations

restaurant Iron-rich foods expand_more

Add more foods high in iron to your diet:

Red meat

Liver

Beans, lentils

Spinach, kale

Fortified cereals

Dried fruit

Tofu, soybeans

Pumpkin seeds

swap_vert Improve iron absorption expand_more

Iron absorption can be improved substantially with the right food combinations:

trending_up Boost absorption combine with iron sources

Vitamin C — citrus, peppers Strawberries, tomatoes Meat juices (heme iron) Fermented foods

trending_down Reduce absorption space them apart from your iron dose

Coffee and black tea Milk and calcium Phytates — bran, grains Antacids

stethoscope See a doctor and get tested expand_more

Discuss your symptoms with a doctor and get a blood test. Key markers for assessing iron deficiency:

Ferritin

> 30

ng/mL

Hemoglobin

> 120

g/L (women)

Transferrin

> 16%

saturation

Red blood cells

3.8–5.1

×10¹²/L

Serum iron

11–30

µmol/L

TIBC

45–80

µmol/L

medication Iron supplements expand_more

warning

Important: take iron supplements only under medical supervision. Excess iron is toxic. A doctor will choose the type (sulfate, gluconate, chelate) and the dose based on your lab results.

For better absorption, take iron supplements:

On an empty stomach, or 30 minutes before a meal
Together with vitamin C (ascorbic acid, 200–500 mg)
Not at the same time as calcium, antacids, tea, or coffee
As a 3–6 month course, checking ferritin after 4–8 weeks

info

This test is informational and is not a medical diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis of iron deficiency is made by a doctor based on a blood test (ferritin, hemoglobin, transferrin).

info

For information only — not medical advice; consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health decision. The values you enter are used only to calculate your result and are not stored on our servers.

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Hidden iron deficiency

From symptoms to a risk level

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