Anemia is usually described as an iron deficiency, though it can also be due to a lack of hemoglobin in the blood. The hemoglobin carries oxygen to tissues throughout the body, therefore it is imperative that anemia is treated, especially if you are experiencing extreme body fatigue or your skin is appearing paler than usual. Although it is by no means an official test for anemia, a gold ring test will show you whether or not you could be anemic based on the reaction you get from the gold ring against your skin. However, this test does not guarantee that you do or do not have anemia, and it is always best to see your doctor for a blood test no matter the results you get from the gold ring test.
Wash a gold ring thoroughly with soap and water to get rid of any residue.
Rub the ring from the top of your cheek to the bottom of your right cheek for 30 seconds. Compare your left cheek to your right cheek in the mirror.
Realize if you notice a thin, black line on your right cheek that you may be anemic.
Place your right hand on a flat surface with palm up. Balance the gold ring on top of your wrist for ten minutes.
Lift up the ring and see if a black circle has appeared on your skin. If you see a black circle, you could be anemic. Whether or not you are anemic, you should still see a doctor to be sure, as sensitive skin may have a reaction to gold, and people with anemia may not always show results from this test.
Warning
Getting a black line on your skin after the gold anemia test does not necessarily mean you are anemic--take tests at your doctor's office to be completely sure. Make sure that the ring you are wearing is not gold-plated, as the metals underneath the gold plating can cause a reaction on any type of skin.
Writer Bio
Megan Smith has been a freelance writer and editor since 2006. She writes about health, fitness, travel, beauty and grooming topics for various print and Internet publications. Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing from New York University.