Iron in the blood: normal, increased and decreased levels. Iron deficiency in women: WHAT the threat is and WHAT to do. Normal iron content in the blood in men

As you know, a person’s health and well-being largely depends on the vitamins and microelements that he receives from food. Iron occupies one of the most important positions, because it takes a direct part in various metabolic processes and affects development and growth reproductive function, and also takes part in the process of hematopoiesis. If low iron levels in the blood are diagnosed, the body immediately begins to react to a deficiency of this important microelement, which in turn affects a person’s quality of life, as well as development various diseases, in particular iron deficiency anemia.

It is worth noting that many people in the world suffer from iron deficiency. The reasons for low iron levels in the blood include the following:

Poor nutrition or a strict diet that does not allow the body to obtain the required amount of vitamins and microelements from food.
Bleeding, which can be caused by various injuries, heavy menstruation, and diseases such as ulcers.
Increased iron consumption, which is most often observed during adolescence in adolescents.
Pregnancy. The reason for low iron in the blood of women during pregnancy is that the body begins to work for two and a lot of this trace element is spent on the process of fetal formation.
Large physical exercise. Very often, iron deficiency affects non-professional athletes who, due to active sports, forget about proper nutrition.
Disruptions in the hormonal system.
Low in vitamin C, which promotes the absorption of iron in the body.
A high content of vitamin E in the body, as well as elements such as calcium, zinc and phosphates, which in turn interfere with the normal absorption of iron in the body.
Gastrointestinal diseases, in particular gastritis and dysbiosis.

As a rule, these reasons are the answer to the question of why low iron levels in the blood serum are diagnosed. Suspicions of iron deficiency may arise when the first symptoms appear, but to confirm the fears, it will be necessary to take blood tests.

What does low iron in the blood lead to with low hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells, that is, red blood cells. Hemoglobin is based on an iron ion, which combines with oxygen and carries it throughout the body. Despite the reasons for low iron levels in the blood, you need to understand that a deficiency of this microelement is very dangerous for the human body. In its mildest manifestation, a person may not feel much change, and attribute all primary symptoms to work or sports.

However, iron deficiency leads to the development of iron deficiency anemia, which in its most severe form puts at stake not only a person’s quality of life, but life itself. Recognizing the signs of iron deficiency is quite simple:

The person feels weak and generally unwell.
The skin becomes pale, which can also be said about the mucous membranes.
There are periodic or constant headaches. If iron becomes catastrophically low, a person begins to suffer from dizziness and loss of consciousness.
There is constant drowsiness, which negatively affects a person’s performance.
The heartbeat accelerates, shortness of breath appears. This occurs as a result of the development of hypoxia, that is, oxygen starvation.
The limbs become eternally cold.
Hair and nails become very brittle.
Wounds on the body take a very long time to heal.

It is also worth noting that there are often situations when low iron in the blood is diagnosed with normal hemoglobin. IN in this case To find out the level of iron in the blood, you need to conduct tests for transferrin levels. Why is there low iron in the blood of women during pregnancy?

As a rule, women are much more likely to suffer from iron deficiency than men. Why is low iron in the blood more common in women than in men? This occurs not only due to pregnancy and lactation, but also as a result of menstruation. The risk group includes:

Women of childbearing age who may complain of iron deficiency as a result of a systematic menstrual cycle.
Women during pregnancy. It is known that during this period a woman’s body requires significantly more vitamins and microelements, including iron. Her body now begins to work for two, while a lot of iron is spent on the development of the fetus.
Women on last weeks pregnancy. At this moment, the active development of the fetus occurs, and therefore even more iron is consumed in this process, which leads to its more serious deficiency. This is what causes low iron levels in pregnant women.

How to raise low iron levels in the blood?

Depending on the reason for the low level serum iron in the blood will depend on the treatment. You can restore the normal concentration of a microelement necessary for the body in different ways:

Diet. If the reasons for low iron levels in the blood lie in poor diet, the deviations from the norm are not too serious, but treatment involves revising your diet and including foods that are high in iron. First of all, you need to pay attention to animal products. Meat, liver and other offal contain a lot of iron, and it is absorbed by the body much better than the iron contained in plant products.

For ardent vegetarians, you should pay attention to buckwheat, oatmeal, nuts, dried fruits, as well as foods that contain a lot of vitamin C. Since iron from plant foods is absorbed by the body only 5-10%, vitamin C will contribute to the maximum of this indicator. It's also worth sticking to certain rules, regarding product combinations. For example, you should not drink tea or coffee with your food, as these drinks contain tannin, which interferes with the normal absorption of iron. The same goes for calcium.

Taking vitamins and dietary supplements. These preparations are non-medicinal, and they consist of a large list of vitamins and microelements, including ferrous iron. Unlike trivalent iron, such iron will be much better absorbed by the body. Depending on the iron that needs to be compensated in the body, such vitamin complexes and dietary supplements are divided into children's and adults. There is also a separate group of drugs that is designed specifically for women during pregnancy.

Taking iron supplements. This is the most extreme treatment option, which allows you to quickly compensate for a large iron deficiency. Such preparations can consist of both divalent and trivalent iron. As a rule, such drugs are prescribed already during the development of iron deficiency anemia. In this case, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage of the drug and all the instructions of the attending physician, since an excess of iron is no worse than its deficiency in the body.

Iron deficiency anemia is a hypochromic microcytic anemia, which is a consequence of an absolute decrease in iron reserves in the human body. According to WHO, this syndrome occurs in every sixth man and every third woman, that is, about two hundred million people in the world are susceptible to it.

This anemia was first described in 1554, and drugs for its treatment were first used in 1600. It is a serious problem that threatens the health of society, as it has a significant impact on performance, behavior, mental and physiological development. This significantly reduces social activity, but, unfortunately, anemia is often underestimated, because gradually a person gets used to the decrease in iron reserves in his body.

Very often, IDA occurs in adolescents, preschoolers, infants and women who have already reached childbearing age. What are the reasons for such iron deficiency in the human body?

Causes

A very common cause of iron deficiency anemia is blood loss. This is especially true for long-term and constant blood loss, even minor ones. In this case, it turns out that the amount of iron that enters the human body with food is less than the amount of iron that is lost by it. Even if a person consumes a lot of foods containing iron, this may not compensate for its deficiency, since the physiological absorption of this element from food is limited.

A typical daily diet contains about 18 grams of iron. In this case, only about 1.5 grams are absorbed, or 2 if the body has increased needs for this element. It turns out that iron deficiency occurs when more than two grams of this element are lost per day.

Iron loss differs between men and women. In men, losses occurring through sweat, feces, urine and waste epithelium are not more than one milligram. If they consume enough iron through food, they will not develop iron deficiency. In women, iron loss is greater, as there are additional factors for this, such as pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and menstruation. Therefore, in women, the need for iron is often greater than its absorption. So, let's look at the causes of iron deficiency anemia in more detail.

Pregnancy. It is worth noting that if there was no iron deficiency before pregnancy or lactation, then these facts most likely will not lead to a decrease in the reserves of this element. However, if pregnancy occurs a second time, and the gap between the first and second pregnancy was small, or iron deficiency was already developed before it, it will become even larger. Each pregnancy, each birth and lactation period leads to a loss of about 800 mg of iron.
Blood loss from urinary tract. This rare reason, but it still occurs. Iron deficiency occurs due to the constant release of red blood cells in the urine. Also, this element can be lost, not being a component of erythrocyte hemoglobin. We are talking about hemoglobinuria and hemosiderinuria in patients with Marchiafava-Micheli disease.

Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. This is the most common reason anemia in men, and in women this is the second reason. These blood losses may occur due to peptic ulcer duodenum or stomach, helminth infestations of intestinal or stomach tumors and other diseases.
Blood loss into closed cavities with impaired iron recycling. This form of iron deficiency anemia includes anemia that occurs with isolated pulmonary siderosis. This disease is characterized by constant blood loss into the lung tissue.

Newborns and infants are susceptible to iron deficiency anemia for the following reasons:

blood loss due to placenta previa;
intestinal bleeding accompanying some infectious diseases;
damage to the placenta during caesarean section;

This condition in childhood poses serious dangers, since the child’s body is most sensitive to iron deficiency. By the way, a child may develop anemia due to proper nutrition, which can result in malnutrition or a monotonous diet. Also in children, as in some adults, the cause may be helminthic intoxication, which inhibits the production of red cells and all hematopoiesis.

Symptoms

The set of symptoms of anemia depends on how severe the iron deficiency is and how quickly the condition continues to develop. The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are best viewed in terms of two important syndromes. But before that, let's briefly mention several stages and degrees of severity of anemia. There are two stages in total:

At the first stage, the deficiency does not have a clinical picture; such anemia is called latent;
At the second stage, anemia has a detailed clinical and laboratory picture.

In addition, the classification of iron deficiency anemia involves dividing the disease according to severity.

The first degree of severity is considered mild. The Hb content ranges from 90 to 120 g/l.
The second, moderate, degree of severity assumes an Hb content ranging from 70 to 90.
In severe cases, the Hb content does not exceed 70.

And finally, most importantly, the division of iron deficiency anemia depending on clinical manifestations. There are two important syndromes, each of which has its own characteristics.

Anemic syndrome

It is characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, as well as inadequate provision of tissues with oxygen. All this manifests itself in nonspecific syndromes. A person complains of increased fatigue, general weakness, dizziness, palpitations, flashing spots, tinnitus, shortness of breath during physical exertion, fainting states, drowsiness, decreased mental performance and memory. Subjective manifestations initially disturb a person during physical stress, and subsequently at rest. Objective examination reveals pallor skin and visible mucous membranes. In addition, pastiness may appear in the area of the face, feet and legs. In the morning there is swelling under the eyes. It is worth noting that not all of these signs appear immediately in one person.

With anemia, myocardial dystrophy syndrome develops. It is accompanied by symptoms such as tachycardia, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, dullness of heart sounds, moderate expansion of the left borders of the heart and a quiet systolic murmur manifested at auscultatory points. If anemia is long and severe, this syndrome can lead to severe circulatory failure. Iron deficiency anemia does not develop suddenly. This happens gradually, due to which the human body adapts and the manifestations of anemic syndrome are not always pronounced.

Sideropenic syndrome

It is also called hyposiderosis syndrome. This condition is caused by tissue iron deficiency, which reduces the activity of many enzymes. Sideropenic syndrome has many manifestations. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in this case are:

addiction to sour, salty, hot or spicy foods;
dystrophic changes in the skin, as well as its appendages, which manifests itself in dryness, flaking, hair loss, early graying, brittleness, dullness of nails, and so on;
perversion of taste, manifested in an irresistible desire to eat something inedible and unusual, for example clay, chalk;
a perversion of the sense of smell, that is, an addiction to odors that are perceived by most as unpleasant, for example, gasoline, paint, and so on;
angular stomatitis;
imperative urge to urinate, inability to hold back when sneezing, coughing or laughing;
atrophic changes in the gastrointestinal mucosa intestinal tract;
glossitis, characterized by pain and a bursting feeling in the tongue;
obvious predisposition to infectious and inflammatory processes;
sideropenic subfebrile condition, when body temperature rises to subfebrile levels.

Diagnostics

In order to assign effective treatment, it is necessary to distinguish iron deficiency anemia from other types hypochromic anemia, which develop for other reasons, which include many pathological conditions caused by disrupted processes of hemoglobin formation.

The main difference is that other types of anemia occur in the case of a high concentration of iron ions in the blood. Its reserves are completely preserved in the depot, and therefore there are no symptoms of tissue deficiency of this element.

Further diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia consists of finding out the reasons that led to the development of this disease. We discussed the reasons above. They can be identified using different methods.

methods for determining lost blood in women during menstruation;
X-ray examinations of the intestines and stomach;
studies that exclude or confirm uterine fibroids;
laboratory methods examining blood, bone marrow and determining indicators of iron metabolism; for example, it is not easy for a doctor to identify bleeding that has occurred in the digestive tract and its causes, but a diagnosis can be made by counting the number of reticulocytes; an increase in the number of these elements is a sign of bleeding;
gastroscopy; irrigoscopy; colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy; these studies are carried out even with frequent bleeding from the nose and other conditions that are associated with blood loss;
diagnostic laparoscopy; that's small surgical intervention which is carried out if there is proven blood loss from the gastrointestinal area, but it is not possible to identify the source of such bleeding; thanks to this method, you can visually examine everything that happens in the abdominal cavity itself.

Treatment

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia is aimed at treating the pathology that causes iron deficiency. A very important point is the use of iron-containing drugs, which help restore iron reserves in the body. Routine administration of drugs containing iron is unacceptable, as it is expensive, ineffective and often leads to diagnostic errors.

It is very important for people with anemia to eat right. The diet includes a sufficient amount of meat products that contain iron in the heme composition. It is absorbed more efficiently. However, nutrition alone will not improve the situation in the body due to anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is treated with iron-containing oral medications. Parenteral agents are used in cases of special indications. Today there are quite a lot of medicines that contain iron salts, for example, orferon, ferroplex. Preparations that contain two hundred milligrams of iron sulfate are considered cheap and convenient; it turns out that one tablet contains fifty milligrams of elemental iron. For adults, an acceptable dose is one or two tablets three times a day. An adult patient should receive at least two hundred grams per day, that is, three milligrams per kilogram, meaning elemental iron.

Sometimes, side effects may occur when taking iron-containing medications. Most often this is due to irritation that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. This usually affects its lower parts and manifests itself in diarrhea or severe constipation. This is usually not related to the dosage of the drug. However, the irritation that occurs in the upper sections is precisely related to the dosage. This is expressed in pain, unpleasant sensations and nausea. In children, adverse events are rare and are expressed in temporary darkening of the teeth. To prevent this from happening, the drug is best given to the root of the tongue. It is also recommended to brush your teeth more often and take the medicine with liquid.

If the adverse events are too severe and are associated with the upper gastrointestinal tract, you can take the drug after meals, and you can also reduce the dose taken at a time. If such phenomena persist, the doctor may prescribe medications that contain less iron. If this method does not help, it is advised to switch to slow-acting medications.

The main reason for treatment failure is ongoing bleeding. Identifying and stopping bleeding is the key to successful therapy.

We list the main reasons that lead to treatment failure:

combined deficiency, when there is a lack of not only iron, but also folic acid or vitamin B12;
misdiagnosis;
taking medications that act slowly.

To get rid of iron deficiency, taking medications containing this element requires at least three months or even more. The use of oral medications will not overload the body with iron, since absorption decreases sharply when reserves of this element are restored.

The main indications for the use of parenteral drugs are as follows:

the need to quickly compensate for iron deficiency, for example, before surgery or in case of significant blood loss;
impaired iron absorption due to lesions small intestine;
side effects from taking oral medications.

Parenteral administration may cause undesirable effects. It can also cause iron to accumulate in the body in unwanted amounts. The most severe side effect from taking parenteral drugs is an anaphylactic reaction. It can occur as intramuscular injection, and with intravenous administration. This reaction occurs rarely, however, parenteral drugs in any case should be used only in a specialized medical institution, where treatment can be provided at any time urgent Care.

Consequences

Any disease, if not treated on time, will not lead to anything good. The same is true with anemia. In this state, the body experiences a kind of stress, which can be expressed in loss of consciousness. In this condition, a person may end up in a hospital, where doctors will conduct a variety of examinations to understand the cause. This includes blood tests, gastroscopy, and so on.

For example, it may turn out that a person has gastritis with low stomach acidity, which is why there is a reduced amount of iron in his body. In this case, vitamin B12 is often prescribed for twenty days. But this does not eliminate the cause of anemia, since the person has a diseased intestines or stomach. Therefore, doctors will give such a patient recommendations related to his disease, and will also advise him to test his blood every few months.

Prevention

Prevention of iron deficiency anemia includes four main methods.

Taking iron supplements for the purpose of prevention for those people who are at risk.
Consumption of foods containing iron in large quantities.
Regular monitoring of blood status.
Elimination of sources of blood loss.

A very important point is the prevention of anemia in childhood. It includes:

correct daily routine;
rational feeding;
preventive courses of taking iron supplements for up to 1.5 years.

If breastfeeding is breastfeeding, timely introduction of complementary foods is considered prevention. If feeding is artificial, then children are advised to give milk formulas, which in properties are close to breast milk and contain forms of iron that are easy to absorb.

It is important to closely monitor your child’s diet in the second half of the year. At this time, your own iron reserves are already depleted, so there is an urgent need to replenish its reserves. The protein part of the diet helps to do this, since protein and iron are components of red blood cells. These products include eggs, meat, fish, cheese, cereals and vegetables.

It is also necessary to ensure that the child’s body receives such important microelements as manganese, copper, nickel, B vitamins, and so on. Therefore, the diet should contain products such as beef, beets, green pea, potatoes, tomatoes and so on.

As you can see, it is important for both adults and children to monitor their diet and lifestyle to prevent anemia. However, if any symptoms occur, which we also discussed in this article, you must immediately go to the doctor and not allow your body to get used to such a painful condition. Timely treatment of anemia returns a person to his activity and prolongs life!

The level of iron in the blood of women is an indicator that reflects how efficiently mature blood cells are formed. If the test result is not normal, this indicates insufficient or excess oxygen supply to the cells. That is why it is necessary to monitor the amount of iron in the blood.

Attention! In men and women different indicator norms.

When is a blood test prescribed for iron levels in the body?

You can find out the amount of iron in the blood using biochemical research. It is performed on patients for diagnosis:

anemia and elucidation of its etiology;
disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
infectious diseases, both acute and chronic;
lack of vitamins in the body;
as well as to monitor the effectiveness of prescribed therapy.

Features of biochemical research

It is taken from a vein in the morning on an empty stomach. Moreover, you should stop eating food 12 hours before. Acceptable clean drinking water, both at night and in the morning.

Important! 14 days before blood sampling, you must stop taking iron supplements.

The day before the study, severe physical activity and alcohol consumption. As for the menu, there are no special requirements, the only thing is to limit spicy and fatty dishes.

Iron indicators

The level of iron in the blood is different for different categories of the population and age:

children under 2 years old – 7-18 µmol/l;
from 2 years to 14 years – 9-22 µmol/l;
in the adult male population – 11-31 µmol/l;
The level of iron in the blood of women is 9-30 µmol/l.

The highest level of this chemical element observed in the blood of newborns. In the first days of life, the indicators are 17.9-44.8 µmol/l. With age, the levels gradually decrease and by 12 months they are 17.6-17.9 µmol/l. For each person, the indicator depends on the characteristics of the body. The greatest influence is exerted by weight, height, hemoglobin level and the presence of diseases. Not the last place is given to the diet.

Increased level

Increased level may indicate pathological reactions. These include:
anemia of various etiologies;
taking medications containing iron for more than 60 days;
cases when the gastrointestinal tract needs to absorb large amounts of iron;
diseases of the hepatolienal system;
hemosiderosis caused by multiple transfusions of blood and its components;
a change in hematopoietic processes in the bone marrow associated with the introduction of this chemical element into the cells from which red blood cells are subsequently formed.

Reduced content

Due to the fact that the body cannot synthesize this element on its own, great importance is attached to the amount of iron supplied with food. As a rule, a low level of an element in the blood indicates poor nutrition of a person.

Iron excess and deficiency - symptoms

Attention! Low iron levels can be associated not only with a changed diet, but also with diseases that occur in acute and chronic forms.

So, a reduced level is observed in the following conditions:

inadequate intake ascorbic acid with food;
consumption of foods that cannot fully replenish iron reserves in the body (dairy diet, vegetarianism);
a certain period of life (pregnancy and lactation, adolescence);
active process of hematopoiesis, as a result of which a large amount of this chemical element is consumed;
a disease of the gastrointestinal tract that was not treated in a timely manner, for example, cancer, enterocolitis;
prolonged bleeding;
inflammatory and purulent-septic processes;
Large amounts of iron may be excreted in the urine;
excessive content of pigment consisting of iron oxide in various tissues;
pathological processes associated with insufficient functioning of the kidneys.

Iron content in the body during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes significant changes. In particular, the need for chemical elements is increasing. A sufficient supply of iron is especially important, since it is responsible for the transfer of oxygen to the fetus. Insufficient oxygen supply leads to pathological conditions in the child.

During pregnancy, a woman may experience functional iron deficiency anemia. Its symptoms:

feeling of constant lack of sleep and fatigue;
low blood pressure;
change in taste;
pallor of the skin.

If a woman comes to a specialist with these symptoms, the first thing to start with is to confirm or rule out pregnancy. This will help in the timely detection of fetal hypoxia.

Important! The level of iron in the blood for women varies during pregnancy.

Combating low iron levels

According to experts, conditions associated with excess iron in the body are not as common as conditions leading to low level of this chemical element. This is especially popular among people over 40 years of age. If iron levels in the blood differ from the norm, it is necessary to identify pathological conditions that lead to this, and pay attention to your food culture. Products that help improve performance:

legumes;
pomegranate juice;
red meat;
beet;
buckwheat;
turkey;
grape;
liver.

Some folk recipes allow you to increase iron levels in a short time.

Take a mixture of walnuts and buckwheat. I grind all this, pour it with honey and consume it in the morning and before bed.
Raisin, walnuts and dried apricots are crushed using a blender. Then the resulting mixture is poured with honey. It is recommended to consume the resulting product 3 times a day, one tablespoon.

Sources of iron

Don't forget about medications that increase iron levels in the blood. Before use, you must visit a specialist and pass everything necessary tests. The doctor will prescribe adequate therapy in accordance with the identified pathological condition.

Preventive measures

To timely prevent the development of iron deficiency in the body, certain rules should be followed. Namely:

control the food you eat. Each person's menu should include a variety of ingredients. This is necessary in order to avoid both excess and deficiency of micro- and macroelements;
pathological conditions must be detected in a timely manner, and therapy must begin immediately after diagnosis. This will prevent the occurrence concomitant diseases and transition to chronic course underlying pathology;
constant supervision by a therapist. Especially after the age of 45, as a structural restructuring of the body occurs.

Iron - important element, thanks to which all body systems function. It is especially important to monitor the level of this chemical element during pregnancy and in newborns.

Attention! To avoid iron deficiency in the body, you should see a doctor, take blood tests and adhere to a balanced diet.

If the analysis shows that serum iron is low, the reason must be found out quickly and all efforts must be made to increase the level of iron in the blood. The fact is that low levels of this microelement lead to weakened immunity, constant illnesses, reduces muscle tone, causes digestive problems. In children, iron deficiency causes growth and development delays.

In addition, iron deficiency may indicate very dangerous diseases, for example, cancer. In this case, treatment with medications and other forms of therapy should be started as quickly as possible. Sometimes the cause is not related to the disease and is caused by insufficient intake of the element into the body along with food. In this case, the answer to the question of how to increase iron levels in the blood is simple: you need to adjust your diet. In this case, the use of medications is usually not required (unless the doctor may prescribe the use of vitamin-mineral complexes).

It is believed that in the human body total number iron ranges from two to seven grams, which depends on the gender, weight and age of the person. IN pure form this substance is not present in the body: it is very toxic, so when a trace element enters the blood, most of it is bound by proteins.

The remaining part of the iron is instantly converted into hemosiderin or ferritin (protein compounds), which are deposited in the tissues in the form of reserves, and when the body experiences a deficiency in the microelement, it extracts them from there.

The body itself does not produce iron: this trace element comes with food and is absorbed in the intestines (which is why low amounts of the trace element are often associated with intestinal tract problems). Iron then ends up in plasma, the liquid part of the blood. Then about eighty percent of the trace element is included in hemoglobin, which is an integral part of the red blood cell. Here, iron is responsible for adding oxygen and carbon dioxide to hemoglobin. This microelement attaches oxygen to itself in the lungs. Then, as part of hemoglobin, which is located inside red blood cells, it is sent to the cells, transfers oxygen to them, and attaches to itself carbon dioxide

It is interesting that iron acquires the ability to attach and detach gases only when it is part of hemoglobin. Other compounds that contain this microelement do not have this ability.

About ten percent of iron is part of myoglobin, which is found in myocardial muscle and skeletal muscles. Myoglobin binds oxygen and stores it. If the body begins to experience oxygen starvation, this gas is extracted from myoglobin, passes into the muscles and participates in further reactions. Therefore, when for some reason the blood supply to any part of the muscle is disrupted, the muscle still receives oxygen for some time.

Iron is also part of other substances, and together with them is involved in hematopoiesis, DNA production, connective tissue. Takes part in lipid metabolism, oxidative reactions, regulates the neutralization of poisons by the liver, and promotes energy metabolism. The thyroid gland needs this element to synthesize hormones that are involved in many metabolic processes. The role of iron during pregnancy is important: the baby’s body uses it to build its tissues.

It has long been noted that a lack of iron in the body negatively affects the functioning of the nervous system. And all because this element is involved in the transmission of signals between brain cells. This microelement also increases the body’s resistance to disease and relieves fatigue. Therefore, when it is lacking, a person often feels powerless.

How much microelement should there be?

IN male body reserves of this microelement are higher than in women and range from 500 to 1.5 thousand mg. For women, this figure ranges from 300 to 1 thousand mg. At the same time, doctors claim that the vast majority of the population has iron reserves at a minimum. That is why during pregnancy, when the body requires iron in large quantities, iron deficiency may occur, and doctors prescribe vitamin and mineral preparations for prevention.

To find out whether there is a lack of iron in the body, it is necessary to do a biochemical blood test. The material for the study is taken from a vein, then fibrinogen is removed from the plasma (so that the blood does not clot during the study), and serum is obtained. Such a sample is convenient to use when studying the composition of blood.

Thus, the norm of serum iron in the blood healthy person must correspond to the following values:

up to 1 year: 7.16 – 17.9 µmol/l;
from 1 to 14 years: 8.95 – 21.48 µmol/l;
in women over 14 years of age, including during pregnancy: 8.95 – 30.43 µmol/l;
in men after 14 years: 11.64 – 30.43 µmol/l.

IN female body its amount is less than that of men. Among women reproductive age Iron concentration depends on menstruation. In the second half of the cycle, the levels of this microelement reach highest values, after menstruation, its level decreases greatly, which is associated with blood loss during menstruation.

During pregnancy, the iron content in the body should be at the same level as that of a non-pregnant woman.

But at the same time, the body’s need for this microelement increases, and therefore it is necessary to ensure that during pregnancy a sufficient amount of iron is supplied with food. This is due to the fact that not only the mother’s body needs this microelement, but also the baby’s. Therefore, at a certain stage of its development, it begins to very quickly take it in large quantities.

That is why the doctor recommends a special diet during pregnancy and also prescribes the use of special vitamin and mineral preparations. Thanks to this, the body is provided with all the necessary substances during pregnancy. After childbirth, the acute need for iron, as during pregnancy, disappears. But is it worth it to stop taking vitamin and mineral supplements, the doctor must say.

Symptoms of iron deficiency

When interpreting the results, it is very important to take into account what time of day the material was taken: the iron content in the body fluctuates greatly throughout the day. It is known that iron concentrations are higher in the morning than in the evening.

You should also know that the concentration of iron in the blood depends on many reasons: on the functioning of the intestines, on the amount of microelement reserves that are stored in the spleen, bone marrow and other organs, as well as on the production and breakdown of hemoglobin in the body. Iron leaves the body in different ways: with feces, urine, and even in nails and hair.

That is why, if the body does not have enough iron, disorders are observed in the functioning of many organs and systems. Therefore, microelement deficiency is indicated by the following symptoms:

increased fatigue, feeling of weakness, fatigue;
increased heartbeat, shortness of breath;
irritability;
dizziness;
migraines;
cold fingers and toes;
pale skin, brittle nails, hair loss;
pain or inflammation of the tongue;
strong desire to move your legs (restless legs syndrome);
poor appetite, craving for unusual foods.

If you notice such symptoms, you must take a test to determine the level of iron in the blood. If the study shows its deficiency, the reason must be found out as quickly as possible (especially if we are talking about pregnancy or a growing child’s body).

There is no need to be alarmed right away: in many situations, iron deficiency is caused by poor diet. For example, its deficiency is recorded in vegetarians, in people who adhere to a dairy diet (calcium interferes with the absorption of the microelement), as well as in those who are addicted to fatty foods. Also, the body has little iron during a fast. After correcting the diet and taking vitamin and mineral supplements, its concentration returns to normal.

A small amount of iron in the body may be due to the body’s increased need for this trace element. This primarily applies to small children under two years of age, adolescents, and women during pregnancy and lactation.

Sometimes iron deficiency can be triggered by stressful situations, weakened nervous system. In this case, you need to put it in order and avoid stress.

Pathological causes

Iron deficiency can be caused by various diseases. Among them:

Iron deficiency anemia, caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that interfere with the normal absorption of the microelement in the intestines. This could be gastritis, enteritis, enterocolitis, various tumors in the stomach and intestines, operations to remove part of the small intestine or stomach.
The presence of inflammation, purulent-septic and other infections.
Osteomyelitis (purulent infection affecting bone tissue).
Myocardial infarction.
An increased amount of iron-containing pigment hemosiderin (formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin or with intensive absorption of iron from the intestine).
Problem with the synthesis of the hormone erythropoietin in the kidneys due to chronic renal failure or other diseases of this organ.
Rheumatism.
Iron is excreted quickly in the urine due to nephrotic syndrome.
Bleeding of various types.
Enhanced hematopoiesis, which uses iron.
Cirrhosis.
Benign and oncological tumors, especially fast-growing ones.
Stagnation of bile in the biliary tract.
Deficiency of vitamin C, which promotes the absorption of iron.

Because iron deficiency can cause different reasons If a microelement deficiency is detected, the doctor will refer you for further examination. You need to go through it as quickly as possible, since among the diseases that cause iron deficiency in the blood, there are deadly ailments. And only then, according to the results of the analysis, will he prescribe treatment and prescribe the necessary medications.

The importance of diet

To increase iron in the blood, it is very important not only to take prescribed medications, but also to pay attention to your diet. A menu aimed at increasing iron levels in the blood should include the consumption of lean beef, lamb, veal, rabbit, fish, turkey or goose. Pork contains little trace element, so nutritionists do not recommend using it to increase iron. The liver, which is a hematopoietic organ, is well suited to increase this microelement in the blood. But it should be consumed in moderation, since it is also responsible for neutralizing toxins.

Buckwheat, oatmeal, beans, nuts, and oysters help increase iron in the blood. The diet should contain fresh vegetables and fruits, which contain not only iron, but also vitamin C, which promotes the absorption of this microelement.

It is important to understand that diet alone is not enough to increase iron in the blood if the problem is caused by illness. Even if the food contains the required amount of a microelement, this will not be enough if the body does not absorb it enough due to illness or there are problems due to which the microelement is consumed in increased quantities.

Therefore, it is very important to follow all the doctor’s instructions, take the medications prescribed by him, including following the dosage. Under no circumstances should you increase or decrease the dose of medications on your own.

The metals that make up the blood play a vital role in the life of all living organisms, without exception. They stimulate metabolic processes, influence growth, heredity, reproduction, actively participate in hematopoiesis and perform a number of other vital functions. Perhaps the most useful of these microelements for the human body is iron.

Functions of iron in the blood, what it is responsible for

In addition to the fact that iron is involved in the delivery of oxygen, it also has other important functions. First of all, it is metabolism. A large number of proteins and enzymes require iron. The same applies to the process of cholesterol conversion. Thanks to iron, liver cells manage to resist poisons and destroy them. It is also important to highlight the following functions of iron in the human body:

DNA production.
The work of immunity.
Generating the necessary energy.
Hormone production.

Iron is also involved in the transmission of impulses and in the synthesis of connective tissue. At the required level of the element, growth processes proceed correctly. It is at a sufficient level that the skin maintains the desired tone, and the person does not feel tired.

As mentioned earlier, the adult body contains up to 5 g of iron, and its concentration per liter of blood serum can range from 7 to 31 µmol. In particular, normal blood should contain:

in children under two years of age – from 7 to 18 µmol/l of iron;
in children from 2 to 14 years old – from 9 to 22 µmol/l of iron;
in adult men – from 11 to 31 µmol/l of iron;
in adult women – from 9 to 30 µmol/l of iron.

The specific metal content in the body of each individual person depends not only on his age and gender, but also on height, weight, level, general condition health and many other objective and subjective factors.

Low iron levels in the blood: causes, symptoms and consequences

Decreased emotional tone is one of the symptoms of iron deficiency

The key cause of iron deficiency in all patients age groups is an unbalanced or strict vegetarian diet. By the way, up to 20% of the total amount of iron entering the body with meat is absorbed, with fish - up to 10%, and with plant products– no more than 6%. In turn, in dairy products of this most useful substance No. In addition, for successful absorption of iron, the diet must be enriched with vitamin C, B vitamins and proteins. Excess fat in the menu, on the contrary, reduces the absorption of iron.

Endogenous (internal) causes of iron deficiency in the body include:

rapid growth with simultaneous depletion of iron reserves in the bone marrow and liver;
physiological blood loss;
the inhibitory effect of estrogens on iron intake;
pregnancy and breastfeeding;
chronic intestinal inflammation;
low acidity of gastric juice;
the presence of bleeding ulcers of the stomach and intestines.

The main symptoms of iron deficiency are:

brittle nails and hair;
bluish lips;
pallor of the mucous membranes and skin;
frequent acute respiratory infections and stomatitis;
dyspnea;
muscle hypotonia;
decreased emotional tone;
unstable stool, indigestion;
constant feeling of fatigue;
loss of appetite;
urinary incontinence during sneezing and laughing, as well as enuresis in children.

A lack of iron in the human body leads to a disruption in the supply of oxygen to cells and, as a result:

the occurrence and development of iron deficiency anemia (anemia);
a number of pathological changes in tissues and organs;
weakening of the body’s immune forces, increasing the risk of developing infectious diseases;
increased fatigue;
delay mental development and growth of children.

Most pathological changes With iron deficiency, epithelial tissues are affected: skin, mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, mouth and respiratory tract. That is why reduced level iron in the blood often becomes key reason various dermatitis, eczema and other skin diseases.

Involvement in iron deficiency pathological process The central nervous system manifests itself:

in impoverishment emotional sphere a patient with a predominance of bad, depressive mood;
in lethargy, decreased ability to concentrate;
in tearfulness, irritability.

In addition, a lack of iron in the blood can lead to a decrease in blood pressure, cardiopalmus and frequent dizziness.

Currently, a deep lack of iron in the body is eliminated with specialized iron preparations and diet therapy.

Elevated level: causes, symptoms and consequences

Elevated iron levels, among other things, are fraught with pain in the right hypochondrium

IN normal conditions The body has a constant supply of iron in the form of water-insoluble hemosiderin and soluble ferritin. In this case, the first serves as a form of deposition of excess metal in tissues, and the second serves as a temporary storage of its reserves. As a rule, a constant level of iron in the blood is maintained due to the regulation of its absorption. Thus, the metal supplied with food is first deposited in the intestinal mucosa, and then, as necessary, is moved by the transport protein transferrin to the liver and bone marrow. In turn, intestinal cells are regularly replaced with new ones every three days, and excess iron is removed from the body along with exfoliated epithelium.

Meanwhile, in in some cases the described process is disrupted: the intestines lose their regulatory function and all the iron that enters the body with food begins to be absorbed into the blood. The first symptoms of this pathology, which in medicine is called hemochromatosis (bronze diabetes, pigmentary cirrhosis), are:

increase in hemoglobin level to 130 g/l and above;
redness of the skin;
decrease in the number of red blood cells;
pain in the right hypochondrium.

Currently, hemochromatosis is successfully treated medications, capable of capturing iron, converting it into a soluble state and removing its excess along with urine.

How to increase iron in the blood

In order for all processes to proceed correctly, it is important to maintain required level gland. For a child it is 8-9 mg, for men 10-11 mg, but for women up to 20 mg. You can increase your iron levels in different ways. Naturally, the drugs must be prescribed by a doctor. Traditional recipes are also used with the permission of a specialist. On your own, you can influence the level of the element through a well-designed diet.

Medicines

The totem can be used even during pregnancy

If the study reveals that the iron level is too low, the doctor prescribes medications. The following items are highly effective:

Totema – suitable for children and women during pregnancy.
Hemofer - helps not only increase hemoglobin, but also immunity.
Tardiferon is especially effective for large blood losses. Approved for use in pediatrics.
Ferroplex - used to increase iron levels and also enriches the body with folic acid.

There are other drugs and they should be used only for their intended purpose.

Important: Excess iron levels can also be dangerous.

Folk remedies

Nettle tea is one of the most effective folk remedies for increasing iron levels

Traditional therapy more often used as an addition to the traditional one. But in mild cases, it can significantly improve your well-being. It is better to use the following recipes:

A mixture of St. John's wort and plantain. The herbs are mixed in equal quantities and used to prepare a decoction (2 tbsp per 250 ml). Take 10 ml. within a month.
Nettle tea does the job perfectly. It can be drunk with honey or sugar.
Clover is used to prepare an infusion. A spoonful of raw materials is poured with a glass of boiling water. The entire volume is drunk within 24 hours.
Rowan can be used either independently or as an additive to rose hips. Together, these berries will make a delicious and healthy tea.

Don't forget about parsley and dill. They can be used not only as a spice, but also for preparing an infusion.

Products

If you want to increase your iron levels, eat meat

Regardless of whether they are used medications and traditional medicine recipes, the diet should always be adjusted. To increase iron, it is important to add the following foods to your diet:

Meat of all varieties.
Vegetables, mostly green, as well as herbs.
Seafood.
Cereals.
Nuts of all kinds.
Dried fruits.
Eggs.

Naturally, dishes should be prepared correctly, avoiding long heat treatment and frying. It is advisable to eat vegetables raw.

How to lower iron in the blood

It may also be that your iron levels are elevated. In this case, treatment is also prescribed by all available methods.

Therapy should be started only after tests have been completed and the root cause of the condition has been determined.

Medicines

Trental should not be used if you have an increased tendency to bleed.

The drugs are prescribed individually, as they have certain contraindications and side effects. Using them alone can cause serious consequences. To reduce hemoglobin, the following drugs are used:

Trental - helps reduce hemoglobin, but is not used if there is an increased tendency to bleeding.
Aspirin - helps reduce hemoglobin and thin the blood. It is strictly forbidden to use for gastrointestinal lesions.
Ticlopidine - used to thin the blood after serious pathologies such as and.
Clopidogrel - indications are similar to those described above. Prohibited for use in pregnant women and with kidney pathologies.

The drugs are taken in courses with constant monitoring of the blood picture.

Folk remedies

Mumiyo is, in fact, the only effective folk remedy for lowering iron levels

The choice of folk recipes is a little poorer compared to methods aimed at increasing iron. To reduce the level of the element in the blood, you can use mumiyo. Take the tablets for 10 days followed by a 5-day break. Then the course is repeated.

Products

That case when smoked meats won’t hurt

Elevated iron levels are one of the few conditions when the diet is selected, on the contrary, from “harmful” foods. They will help reduce the level of sweetness, fatty and smoked elements. From fruits you can eat bananas, grapes, lemons.

It is especially useful to include soybeans, beans of all types, fermented milk products, vegetables with high content oxalic acid, river fish, as well as oats and pearl barley.

Leeches have proven themselves to be excellent. Following the rules for their use will not only help thin the blood, but will also improve your overall well-being. A combination of proper nutrition and traditional recipes will help you achieve results faster.