Iron is an essential trace element. IN large quantities it is part of hemoglobin. In addition, iron is present in blood serum and cells. This substance enters the body with food. The level of iron in a person's blood can fluctuate throughout the day. Such changes occur depending on lifestyle, quality of sleep and nutrition. The normal level of serum iron in human blood is 4-5 g. However, this indicator is not a standard. As a rule, the level of iron in the blood of men is higher than that of women. In children under one year of age, this figure is significantly lower than normal.
What role does iron play in the body?
- Iron is a component of blood and most enzymes produced in the human body.
- This is an extremely important element that takes part in respiratory, immunobiological and redox processes.
- Iron is necessary for proteins and enzymes that control hematopoiesis, cholesterol metabolism, and DNA production.
- This microelement affects work thyroid gland, regulates the level of its hormones.
- Iron is directly involved in the process of transporting oxygen molecules to cells and tissues.
- Has a beneficial effect on the liver. Regulates the process of removing toxins from the body.
- Stimulates the production of immunity.
- Iron is necessary for normal development and growth of the body (especially in childhood).
- Has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair, and nails.
A decrease or increase in iron levels in the human body can lead to irreversible processes.
What is the normal level of serum iron in the body?
The iron content in the blood is considered normal within the following limits.
- Children under one year old - 7-18 µmol/l.
- Children from one year to 14 years old - 9-21 µmol/l.
- Men reproductive age- 12-30.5 µmol/l.
- Women - 9-30.5 µmol/l.
It is this level of serum iron that ensures the proper functioning of all organs and systems of the body.
The difference in rates for adults of different sexes is due to the fact that women lose a large amount of blood every month. In addition, in girls, fluctuations in iron levels depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle. The most high content observed during the formation of the corpus luteum, and a decrease occurs after the end of menstruation. With age, in both men and women, the level of this microelement drops significantly. Its concentration in the blood depends on many factors that doctors must consider when doing a serum iron test. Let's take a closer look at the features of this procedure.
Determination of iron levels in the blood
With this analysis, blood is collected in the morning on an empty stomach. To obtain correct results, patients are advised to stop taking any medications containing iron one week before the procedure.
Lack of iron in the body: causes
The normal level of serum iron in the adult human body ranges from 9 to 30.5 µmol/l. As a rule, patients are diagnosed with a deviation in the direction of decreasing its level.
Reasons for reducing the amount of iron in the blood:
- Some chronic diseases (tuberculosis, lupus erythematosus, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis).
- Iron deficiency anemia, which is a consequence of frequent blood loss (due to injuries, menstruation, operations). In addition, it can be caused by insufficient consumption of meat dishes. Poor nutrition and the predominance of plant-based foods in the diet very often become the cause of the development of iron deficiency in the blood.
- Destruction of red blood cells.
- In the third trimester of pregnancy, a decrease in iron in the blood is considered normal.
- Disorder of the functions of the digestive system, as a result of which beneficial microelements are not absorbed by the body.
- Oncological diseases, in particular tumors of the intestines, kidneys, and liver.
Symptoms of iron deficiency
There are two types of iron deficiency: hidden, which is diagnosed only through a general blood test, and obvious. The second option manifests itself with clearly defined symptoms.
People whose serum iron levels are below normal complain of frequent headaches, fatigue, darkening of the eyes, and tinnitus. In addition, paleness, dryness and flaking of the skin are observed, cracks and jams appear in the corners of the mouth.
Consequences of iron deficiency
A deficiency of this microelement in the human body leads to serious consequences.
- Dysfunction of the digestive system (gastritis, diarrhea, constipation).
- Disorders of the liver, which ceases to cope with detoxification of the body.
- A decrease in iron leads to disruption of the heart.
- Nervous disorders. Neuroses, apathy, sleep and memory disturbances may occur.
Increased serum iron: causes
An increase in serum iron levels can be a consequence of many pathological changes in the body. Among them, the following should be noted:
- Anemia, in which red blood cells take longer to form than in healthy people.
- Subcutaneous hemorrhages, in which a large amount of hemosiderin (a pigment containing iron) appears.
- Chronic renal failure.
- Primary hemochromatosis. It's congenital hereditary disease. Primary hemochromatosis is characterized by an increased rate of iron absorption into the intestinal wall. As a result, the body is oversaturated with this substance, which is deposited in the tissues in the form of the insoluble pigment hemosiderin.
- Secondary hemochromatosis is a consequence of poisoning with drugs containing large amounts of iron. In addition, this disease can occur as a result of frequent blood transfusions.
- Chronic liver diseases (hepatitis, steatosis, porphyria).
Symptoms and consequences of iron oversaturation
People with elevated serum iron levels notice yellowing of the skin and eyeballs, weight loss, arrhythmia. Also, with an excess of this microelement in the body, liver enlargement is diagnosed.
Patients suffering from primary hemochromatosis experience increased skin pigmentation, disruption of the endocrine system, and disorders circulatory system(heart failure, myocardial dystrophy).
An increase in the level of iron in the blood serum leads to serious consequences, and in some cases causes death. Deviation from the norm in the content of this element in the body can lead to exacerbation of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, to the appearance of malignant neoplasms in the organs of the digestive system.
The human body consists of various chemical elements, which perform certain functions in the body. Chemical elements are in balance, which allows maintaining normal functions of organs and systems. Violation of this balance leads to pathological processes and various diseases.
The human body is 60% water, 34% organic matter and 6% - inorganic substances. Organic substances include carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and others. Inorganic substances contain 22 chemical elements - Fe, Ca, Mg, F, Cu, Zn, Cl, I, Se, B, K and others.
All inorganic substances are divided into microelements and macroelements. It depends on the mass fraction of the element. Microelements include iron, copper, zinc and others. Macroelements include calcium, sodium, potassium and others.
Iron ( Fe) refers to microelements. Despite the small iron content in the body, it plays a special role in maintaining its vital functions. A lack of iron in the human body, as well as its excess, negatively affects many functions of the body and human health in general.
If the patient complains of increased fatigue, malaise, or rapid heartbeat, the doctor prescribes a serum iron test. This analysis helps evaluate iron metabolism in the body and identify many pathological processes associated with iron metabolism. In order to understand what serum iron is, why it is needed and how it appears, it is necessary to consider the functions of iron and its metabolism in the human body.
Why is iron needed in the body?
Iron is a universal chemical element that performs vital functions in the body. The body cannot produce iron, so it gets it from food. Human nutrition must be balanced, containing the daily intake of vitamins and chemical elements. Lack or excess of vitamins and minerals leads to the development of diseases and deterioration of health. Iron, which is contained in the body, is divided into:
- Functional iron. Functional iron is part of hemoglobin ( iron-containing protein of red blood cells, which captures and carries oxygen to the organs and tissues of the body), myoglobin ( oxygen-containing protein of skeletal muscles and cardiac muscles, creating oxygen reserves), enzymes ( specific proteins that change the rate of chemical reactions in the body). Functional iron is involved in many processes in the body and is constantly used.
- Transport iron. Transport iron is the amount of an element that is transported from the source of iron entering the body to each of its cells. Transport iron is not involved in body functions. It is part of carrier proteins – transferrin ( the main carrier protein of iron ions in blood plasma), lactoferrin ( carrier protein contained in breast milk, tears, saliva and other secretory fluids) and mobilferrin ( iron ion transport protein in the cell).
- Deposited iron. Part of the iron that enters the body is stored “in reserve.” Iron is deposited in various organs and tissues, mainly in the liver and spleen. Iron is deposited in the form of ferritin ( water-soluble complex protein complex, which is the main intracellular iron depot) or hemosiderin ( iron-containing pigment formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin).
- Free iron. Free iron or free pool is iron unbound to proteins inside cells, formed as a result of the release of iron from the ternary complex - iron, apotransferrin ( transferrin precursor protein) and receptor ( molecules on the surface of the cell that attach molecules of various chemical substances and transmit regulatory signals). In its free form, iron is very toxic. Therefore, free iron is transported inside the cell by mobilferrin or deposited with ferritin.
- Heme iron ( cellular). Heme iron makes up the bulk of the total iron content in the human body - up to 70 - 75%. Participates in the internal exchange of iron ions and is part of hemoglobin, myoglobin and many enzymes ( substances that accelerate chemical reactions in the body).
- Non-heme iron. Non-heme iron is divided into extracellular and stored iron. Extracellular iron includes free plasma iron and iron-binding transport proteins - transferrin, lactoferrin, mobilferrin. Deposited iron is found in the body in the form of two protein compounds - ferritin and hemosiderin.
- transport of oxygen to tissues – the erythrocyte contains hemoglobin, the molecules of which contain 4 iron atoms; iron in hemoglobin binds and transports oxygen coming from the lungs to all cells of the body;
- participation in hematopoietic processes – bone marrow uses iron to synthesize hemoglobin, which is part of red blood cells;
- detoxification of the body - iron is necessary for the synthesis of liver enzymes involved in the destruction of toxins;
- regulation of immunity and increasing body tone – iron affects the composition of the blood, the level of leukocytes necessary to maintain immunity;
- participation in the process of cell division – iron is part of proteins and enzymes involved in DNA synthesis;
- synthesis of hormones - iron is necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which regulates metabolism in the body;
- providing cells with energy – iron delivers oxygen to protein energy molecules.
Daily iron requirement
| Floor | Age | Daily iron requirement |
| Children
(regardless of gender) | 1 – 3 years | 6.8 mg per day |
| 3 – 11 years | 10 mg per day | |
| 11 – 14 years old | 12 mg per day | |
| Female | 14 – 18 years old | 15 mg per day |
| 19 – 50 years | 18 mg per day | |
| over 50 years old | 8 mg per day | |
| Pregnant women | - | 38 mg per day |
| Breastfeeding women | - | 33 mg per day |
| Male | 14 – 18 years old | 11 mg per day |
| over 19 years old | 8 mg per day |
Iron is found in the body in different concentrations depending on the type of iron, as well as gender.
Distribution of iron in the human body
| Iron type | Iron concentration ( mg Fe/kg) | |
| women | men | |
| Total iron | ||
| The total iron content in the human body is 4.5 – 5 grams. | 40 mg Fe/kg | 50 mg Fe/kg |
| Functional iron | ||
| Hemoglobin ( Hb). Of the total amount of iron in the body, 75–80% ( 2.4 g) accounts for hemoglobin iron ( hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein that transports oxygen to tissues). | 28 mg Fe/kg | 31 mg Fe/kg |
| Myoglobin. The composition of myoglobin ( oxygen - binding protein of skeletal muscles and heart muscles) includes 5–10% of the total amount of iron. | 4 mg Fe/kg | 5 mg Fe/kg |
| Heme and non-heme enzymes ( chemical substances, accelerating chemical reactions occurring in the human body). Respiratory enzymes account for about 1% of the total amount of iron in the body. | 1 mg Fe/kg | 1 mg Fe/kg |
| Transport iron | ||
| Transferrin ( specific protein – carrier of iron in blood plasma). | 0.2) mg Fe/kg | 0.2) mg Fe/kg |
| Iron depot ( iron reserves in the body). Reserve iron makes up 20–25% of the total amount of iron in the body. | ||
| Ferritin. | 4 mg Fe/kg | 8 mg Fe/kg |
| Hemosiderin. | 2 mg Fe/kg | 4 mg Fe/kg |
Iron metabolism in the human body
Metabolism ( exchange) gland is a very well organized process. The body clearly regulates the processes of intake and recycling of iron, since it is a very valuable microelement.Iron absorption occurs in three stages. First stage - First stage (absorption in the small intestine), the second is intracellular transport with the formation of iron reserves, the third is the release of iron into the blood plasma.
Iron enters the body with food. When you receive 10–20 milligrams of iron from food per day, only 10% of the iron is absorbed, which is 1–2 milligrams. The body obtains heme iron from food ( meat, liver) and non-heme iron ( milk, vegetables, fruits). Heme iron enters the body as part of hemoglobin and myoglobin from meat products and is absorbed by the body 20–30% more efficiently ( regardless of secretion gastric juice and other factors). Non-heme iron comes mainly from food ( 80 – 90% ). Absorption of such iron occurs passively and in small quantities ( 1 – 7% ). This process is also influenced by many external factors.
Substances that inhibit the absorption of non-heme iron are:
- phytins - found in cereals, legumes, semolina and oatmeal;
- tannins – found in tea, cocoa, coffee, quince, dark grapes, currants;
- phosphoproteins - complex proteins found in milk and egg whites;
- oxalates – found in corn, rice, grains, spinach, milk;
- some medications - calcium supplements, oral contraceptives.
- vitamin C ( ascorbic acid) – found in white cabbage, spinach, red and green peppers, black currants, dried rose hips;
- copper – found in liver, peanuts, hazelnuts, shrimp, peas, buckwheat, lentils;
- meat products - beef, veal, rabbit and others;
- seafood – fish, oysters, shrimp;
- amino acids – found in legumes, nuts, fish, meat, milk, peanuts, eggs.
After the intake of ferrous iron ( Fe 2+) into parts of the small intestine, it enters enterocytes ( epithelial cells of the small intestine). Iron absorption into enterocytes occurs with the help of special proteins - mobilferrin, integrin and others. The cells of the small intestine contain transferrin and ferritin. These two proteins regulate the absorption and distribution of iron throughout the body.
When iron enters the body through enterocytes, part of it is deposited ( put aside in reserve), part is transported using the transferrin protein and is used by the body to synthesize heme ( part of hemoglobin containing iron), erythropoiesis ( formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow) and other processes.
Deposit ( reservation) iron occurs in two forms - as part of ferritin and hemosiderin. Ferritin is a water-soluble protein complex that is synthesized ( produced) cells of the liver, bone marrow, small intestine and spleen. The main function of this protein is to bind and temporarily store iron in a form that is non-toxic to the body. Ferritin in liver cells is the main depot of iron in the body. Ferritin in small intestinal cells is responsible for the transfer of iron entering enterocytes to transferrin in the blood plasma. Hemosiderin is an iron-containing, water-insoluble pigment that deposits excess iron in tissues.
The transport of iron in blood plasma is carried out by a special carrier protein – transferrin. Transferrin is synthesized by liver cells. Its main function is the transport of iron absorbed in intestinal cells and iron from destroyed red blood cells ( red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues and organs) for reuse. Normally, transferrin is saturated with iron by only 33%.
The body loses iron daily - up to 1 - 2 milligrams per day. Physiological losses of iron normally occur during the excretion of iron in bile through the intestines, during desquamation of the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract ( Gastrointestinal tract), with desquamation ( exfoliation) skin, in women with menstrual blood ( from 14 mg to 140 mg per month), hair loss and nail cutting.
What is serum iron and what is the normal level of iron in the blood? Why is serum iron tested?
Serum or plasma iron is the concentration of iron in serum or plasma, not including iron in hemoglobin and ferritin iron. Blood plasma is the liquid part of blood ( 60%
) light yellow in color, not containing formed elements ( erythrocytes, platelets, leukocytes, lymphocytes and others). Blood plasma consists of water and proteins, gases, minerals, fats and others dissolved in it. Blood serum is blood plasma that does not contain fibrinogen, a blood protein involved in the formation of a blood clot. Iron in the blood cannot be in a free state, as it is very toxic. Therefore, the level of iron in the carrier proteins – transferrin – is determined. To do this, using special chemical reactions, iron is isolated from the complex with transferrin. The material for the study is deoxygenated blood. More often, the colorimetric method is used to analyze serum iron concentration. The essence of the method is to determine the concentration of iron in serum by the color intensity of the solution. The color intensity of the solution is directly proportional to the concentration of the colored chemical microelement. This method allows you to determine the concentration of a trace element with high accuracy.
Indications for analysis of serum iron concentration are:
- diagnostics, differential diagnostics ( the difference between one pathology and another with similar symptoms) and control of anemia treatment ( pathological condition characterized by low hemoglobin content in red blood cells);
- diagnosis of hemochromatosis ( hereditary disease characterized by impaired iron metabolism);
- diagnosis of intoxication ( poisoning) iron;
- malnutrition, hypovitaminosis ( lack of vitamins);
- various diseases gastrointestinal tract, in which normal absorption of iron is disrupted;
- detected deviations in the results of a general blood test ( red blood cells, hematocrit);
- bleeding of various etiologies ( heavy, prolonged menstruation, bleeding gums, bleeding from hemorrhoids, stomach or duodenal ulcers and others).
- assessment of iron reserves in the body;
- calculating the percentage of transferrin saturation with iron ( that is, determining the concentration of iron carried by the blood);
- differential diagnosis anemia;
- control of anemia treatment;
- control of treatment with iron preparations;
- diagnostics genetic diseases iron metabolism disorders.
The normal level of iron in the blood, depending on age and gender
| Age | Floor | Iron norm |
| female | 5.1 – 22.6 µmol/l | |
| male | 5.6 – 19.9 µmol/l | |
| from 1 to 12 months | female | 4.6 – 22.5 µmol/l |
| male | 4.9 – 19.6 µmol/l | |
| from 1 to 4 years | female | 4.6 – 18.2 µmol/l |
| male | 5.1 – 16.2 µmol/l | |
| from 4 to 7 years | female | 5.0 – 16.8 µmol/l |
| male | 4.6 – 20.5 µmol/l | |
| from 7 to 10 years | female | 5.5 – 18.7 µmol/l |
| male | 4.9 – 17.3 µmol/l | |
| from 10 to 13 years | female | 5.8 – 18.7 µmol/l |
| male | 5.0 – 20.0 µmol/l | |
| from 13 to 16 years old | female | 5.5 – 19.5 µmol/l |
| male | 4.8 – 19.8 µmol/l | |
| from 16 to 18 years old | female | 5.8 – 18.3 µmol/l |
| male | 4.9 – 24.8 µmol/l | |
| > 18 years old | female | 8.9 – 30.4 µmol/l |
| male | 11.6 – 30.4 µmol/l |
When receiving tests, the doctor is guided by the gender and age of the patient. The results obtained may be within normal limits, below or above normal. If the iron level is below normal, the patient has iron deficiency. If the iron level is higher than normal, the patient has excess iron in the body. When interpreting the results, many factors should be taken into account - nutrition, medications, menstrual cycle the woman and others. Do not forget about daily fluctuations in the concentration of iron in the blood. Thus, the maximum daily concentration of iron in the blood is observed in the morning. In women, the concentration of iron in the blood is higher before and during menstruation than after the end of menstruation. Therefore, a serum iron test should be taken after the cessation of menstruation. Random fluctuations in iron levels in the blood may also occur, for example, with a sharp increase in meat consumption in the patient’s diet.
Medicines that increase iron levels in the blood are:
- acetylsalicylic acid ( aspirin) – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug;
- methotrexate – antitumor agent;
- multivitamins containing iron;
- oral contraceptives – birth control pills;
- antibiotics – methicillin, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime;
- drugs containing estrogens ( female sex hormones) .
- acetylsalicylic acid in large doses - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug;
- allopurinol – a drug that lowers the level of uric acid in the blood;
- cortisol – glucocorticoid hormone;
- metformin – tablet hypoglycemic agent ( lowers blood sugar levels);
- corticotropin – adrenocorticotropic hormone drug;
- cholestyramine – lipid-lowering agent ( reduces blood fat levels);
- asparaginase – antitumor agent;
- drugs containing testosterone - male sex hormone.
How to properly prepare for a serum iron test?
To avoid distortion of the obtained results of serum iron concentration, it is necessary to properly prepare the patient.For proper preparation To diagnose iron levels in the blood it is necessary:
- a week before taking a serum iron test, stop taking medications and iron-containing vitamin complexes;
- reschedule the serum iron test for several days after the blood transfusion ( blood transfusion);
- explain to the patient that to test serum iron it will be necessary to take a blood sample, explain the procedure, warn about unpleasant sensations when applying a tourniquet and puncture ( piercing) veins;
- describe the daily and nutritional regimen that the patient should follow.
- taking test blood on an empty stomach;
- avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol and fatty foods, physical activity 12 hours before the test;
- taking test material before performing any diagnostic procedures ( radiography, computed tomography);
- the patient has no viral or inflammatory diseases.
What should your serum iron level be during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a very important and difficult period in the life of any woman. At this time, serious physiological changes occur in the body. The fetus uses microelements and macroelements from the mother as “building particles.” Therefore, it is very important for a woman to monitor her diet. It must be balanced and ensure the supply of vitamins, minerals, proteins and other substances in sufficient quantities. Typically, the need for these substances exceeds the daily requirement of a non-pregnant woman, as they are used for the functional needs of the mother and fetus. The reasons for the increased need for iron during pregnancy are:
- an increase in blood volume by 50%, and, consequently, a 2-fold increase in the need for iron for the production of hemoglobin ( iron-containing protein that transports blood);
- significant consumption of iron from the mother's iron depot for the formation of the placenta and red blood cells ( red blood cells that transport oxygen) fruit;
- Iron-deficiency anemia ( anemia – a condition characterized by low levels of hemoglobin in the blood) before pregnancy, which aggravates iron deficiency during pregnancy.
The normal level of serum iron in pregnant women is from 13 µmol/l to 30 µmol/l. The daily iron requirement for pregnant women is up to 30 – 38 milligrams.
For a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, both iron deficiency and excess are equally dangerous. If the body of a pregnant woman does not receive the necessary daily norm iron, its reserves are quickly depleted. This leads to iron deficiency ( serum iron level) and the development of iron deficiency anemia ( pathology in which the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases). As a result of anemia, both the fetus and mother suffer from a lack of oxygen. Iron deficiency anemia leads to weakened immunity, increased fatigue, dizziness, and weakness. The development of iron deficiency anemia in the first or second trimester of pregnancy significantly increases the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, or neonatal death.
Also, iron deficiency in the mother contributes to the development of iron deficiency anemia in the newborn, which can negatively affect his mental and physical development. During childbirth, a woman may lose a large amount of blood. If there was already a previous iron deficiency, then bleeding can lead to the development of severe anemia and the need for a blood transfusion. It has been scientifically proven that iron deficiency is one of the causes of postpartum depression.
Excess iron ( serum iron level > 30 µmol/l) also negatively affects the course of pregnancy and the health of the fetus. Excess iron can be observed in hereditary diseases with impaired iron metabolism and excessive intake of iron into the body ( uncontrolled intake of iron-containing medications). Excessive iron levels in the blood of a pregnant woman can cause gestational diabetes ( pathology in which there is a high level of sugar in the blood of a pregnant woman), preeclampsia ( complications of pregnancy after 20 weeks, characterized by high blood pressure and high protein in the urine), miscarriage. Therefore, iron supplements must be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Iron deficiency in pregnant women is much more common than iron excess. Iron deficiency can be compensated for by diet, rich in iron, or taking iron-containing medications. A pregnant woman's diet should include red meat ( richest source of iron), rabbit, chicken, turkey meat, as well as grains, legumes, spinach, cabbage, porridge and others.
If the intake of iron from food does not satisfy the body's needs, the doctor may additionally prescribe iron supplements. Taking iron supplements is carried out under the strict control of serum iron. The dosage of drugs is selected by the attending physician depending on the patient’s laboratory parameters ( serum iron levels, hemoglobin). Pregnant women are often prescribed calcium supplements, which impair iron absorption. Therefore, during treatment with iron supplements, it is worth stopping or limiting the use of calcium supplements. If this is not possible, then calcium should be taken in between meals and iron supplements.
Iron supplements prescribed during pregnancy are:
- Sorbifer durules. A tablet of this drug contains 100 milligrams of iron and vitamin C to improve the absorption of iron in the intestines. During pregnancy, in order to prevent iron deficiency, 1 tablet per day is prescribed, for treatment - 1 tablet in the morning and in the evening.
- Ferroplex. The pills contain 50 milligrams of iron and vitamin C. Take 2 pills 3 times a day.
- Totema. Totema is a solution containing 50 milligrams of iron. For prevention, 1 ampoule per day is prescribed orally from 4 months of pregnancy. In large doses, totem is prescribed only for laboratory-confirmed iron deficiency anemia. Prescribed 2 – 4 ampoules per day.
- Fenyuls. The capsules contain 45 milligrams of iron. For prevention, take 1 capsule per day from the 14th week of pregnancy. After taking the drug daily for 2 weeks, take a week break and then continue taking the drug again.
What diseases lead to low blood iron levels?
Many diseases, habits and dietary habits affect the concentration of iron in the blood, namely, they reduce its level in the blood. Symptoms of iron deficiency in the body
Iron deficiency leads to deterioration in the functioning of organs and systems, lack of oxygen, and disruption of the synthesis of enzymes and hormones. But iron deficiency does not immediately lead to symptoms. At first, the body uses iron from its reserves. Gradually, after iron stores are depleted, symptoms begin to appear, which become more pronounced over time. There are latent ( hidden) And obvious signs lack of iron in the blood. Latent signs appear with minor iron deficiency. Serum iron levels are often normal or close to the borderline low value ( women – 8.9 µmol/l, men – 11.6 µmol/l). In this case, the body uses iron reserves.
Symptoms of the latent stage of iron deficiency in the blood are:
- decreased performance;
- increased fatigue;
- severe malaise, weakness;
- cardiopalmus ( tachycardia);
- increased irritability;
- depression;
- headaches and dizziness;
- difficulty swallowing;
- glossitis ( inflammatory process language);
- hair loss;
- brittle nails;
- pale skin;
- deterioration of memory, attention, thought processes, learning ability;
- frequent infections respiratory tract;
Symptoms of severe iron deficiency are:
- decreased immunity – the patient often suffers from viral and respiratory diseases;
- low body temperature, chilliness - body temperature is below 36.6°C, a person feels uncomfortable when low temperatures, his extremities are constantly cold;
- deterioration of memory, attention, pace of learning – with iron deficiency, it is difficult for the patient to concentrate and remember information, and frequent forgetfulness is observed;
- decreased performance – the patient constantly feels tired, “broken”, even after good sleep;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract - loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, pain in the stomach, constipation, flatulence ( excessive accumulation of gases in the intestinal lumen), the appearance of belching and heartburn;
- increased fatigue, muscle weakness - the patient observes increased fatigue even after short-term activity, and also notes muscle weakness during physical activity and at rest;
- neurological disorders – increased irritability, short temper, depression, tearfulness, migrating pain ( head, in the region of the heart);
- mental retardation and physical development in children - lack of iron leads to oxygen starvation, which negatively affects the child’s central nervous system, development of cardio-vascular system and others;
- geophagy ( food perversion) – with iron deficiency, a person may begin to eat inedible objects - chalk, earth, sand;
- dryness, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes – the skin becomes dry, begins to peel, cracks and pronounced wrinkles appear, wounds form in the corners of the mouth ( cheilitis), stomatitis ( inflammation of the oral mucosa);
- dry, brittle nails and hair – with a lack of iron, hair becomes dull, brittle, loses shine and volume, nails flake and break easily;
- dizziness, loss of consciousness ( fainting) – as a result of a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood, the body suffers from oxygen starvation, this especially affects the brain, which is manifested by dizziness, short-term loss of consciousness, darkening of the eyes;
- shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat - Iron deficiency leads to a lack of oxygen, which the body tries to compensate by increasing breathing and heart rate.
How to increase iron levels in the blood?
Before starting treatment for iron deficiency in the body, it is necessary to determine the cause of its occurrence and eliminate it. If the cause of iron loss is not eliminated, treatment will only bring a temporary effect. This will lead to the need repeat courses treatment. Before using iron-containing medications or changing your diet, you must undergo an examination and take a serum iron test. If a laboratory test confirms iron deficiency, the doctor will individually select treatment tactics for the patient. The principle of treatment will depend on iron levels, the patient’s condition ( for example, pregnancy), concomitant diseases (may occur in some diseases increased losses gland).
If there is a slight lack of iron, it will be enough to adjust the patient’s diet by increasing the amount of iron-rich foods in the diet. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the consumption of iron in the patient’s body. In some cases ( for chronic bleeding, pregnancy, breastfeeding, intensive growth) The amount of iron you get from food may not be enough. Then the therapy is supplemented with iron supplements.
In case of severe iron deficiency, treatment begins immediately with taking medications in the form of capsules, tablets and dragees. In particularly severe cases, iron supplements are prescribed intravenously under the strict supervision of the attending physician.
Diet for iron deficiency
Heme and non-heme iron enters the human body with food. Heme iron ( the source is hemoglobin) is several times more efficiently absorbed by the body in contrast to non-heme. The body obtains heme iron from meat products, and non-heme iron from plant products.Sources of heme iron
| Product (100 grams) | (mg) |
| beef | 2,7 |
| pork | 1,7 |
| turkey | 3,7 – 4,0 |
| chicken | 1,6 – 3,0 |
| veal | 2,8 |
| pork liver | 19,0 |
| veal liver | 5,5 – 11,0 |
| beef kidneys | 7,0 |
| sea fish | 1,2 |
| heart | 6,3 |
| mackerel | 2,4 |
| cod | 0,7 |
| shellfish | 4,2 |
| mussels | 4,5 |
| oysters | 4,1 |
Sources of non-heme iron
| Product (100 grams) | Iron content in milligrams (mg) |
| apricots | 2,2 – 4,8 |
| peas | 8,0 – 9,5 |
| beans | 5,6 |
| buckwheat | 8,0 |
| nuts ( almonds, hazelnuts) | 6,1 |
| dried mushrooms | 35 |
| dried pear | 13 |
| beans | 11,0 – 12,5 |
| apples | 0,6 – 2,3 |
| dried apples | 15,0 |
| rose hip | 11,0 |
For better absorption of iron you need:
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C, B vitamins and folic acid. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron in the intestines by 6 times. Therefore, for better absorption of this microelement, it is necessary to increase the intake of foods rich in vitamin C. These foods include spinach, cauliflower, citrus fruits, broccoli and others. Sources of folic acid include peanuts, almonds, walnuts, flax seeds and others. B vitamins are found in fermented milk products, nuts, yeast, and egg yolk.
- Reduce tea and coffee consumption. Tannin, which is found in tea and coffee, significantly reduces the absorption of iron. Therefore, you should not drink these drinks immediately after meals, as they reduce iron absorption by 62%. Do not forget that the body normally absorbs only 10% of the iron received from food.
- Limit consumption of foods rich in calcium and calcium supplements. Calcium also slows down the absorption of iron by the human body. Therefore, when treating iron deficiency conditions, you should limit your consumption of hard cheese, milk, sesame seeds, herbs and others. Also, if the patient is taking calcium supplements, then their intake should be discontinued or limited. If this is not possible, calcium should be taken between meals.
Iron supplements
If it is not possible to increase serum iron levels through diet, the patient is prescribed iron supplements. The doctor selects the dosage and duration of treatment individually. Therapy with iron supplements should be carried out under the control of serum iron levels determined in the laboratory.Iron supplements prescribed for iron deficiency
| A drug | Dose, duration of treatment |
| Maltofer | Oral solution. To treat iron deficiency, take 1 bottle ( 100 mg iron) from 1 to 3 times a day. Duration of treatment is from 3 to 5 months. After this, continue to take 1 bottle per day for 1 to 3 months to restore iron reserves. To prevent iron deficiency, take 1 bottle for 1 to 2 months. |
| Biofer | To treat iron deficiency, take 1 tablet ( 100 mg iron) from 1 to 3 times a day for 3 to 5 months. Then, for several months, take 1 tablet per day to restore iron reserves. To prevent iron deficiency, take 1 tablet for 1 to 2 months. Contains folic acid, which improves iron absorption. |
| Ferro foil | To treat iron deficiency anemia, take 1 capsule ( 37 mg iron) 3 times a day. The duration of treatment ranges from 3 to 16 or more weeks ( depending on the severity of iron deficiency). For prevention – 1 capsule 3 times a day for a month. Contains vitamin B 12 and folic acid. |
| Ferretab | When treating, use from 1 to 3 capsules ( 50 mg iron) per day. Treatment is continued until the level of iron in the blood normalizes. Then maintenance therapy is continued for 4 weeks. Contains folic acid. |
| Hemofer | Take 46 drops orally between meals ( per drop contains 2 mg of iron) 2 times a day with juice or water. The duration of treatment is at least 2 months. |
| Sorbifer Durules | 1 tablet orally ( 40 mg iron) 1 – 2 times a day. If necessary, the dose is increased to 3–4 tablets per day in 2 divided doses. The course of treatment is 3–4 months. Contains ascorbic acid. |
| Tardiferon | 1 tablet orally ( 80 mg iron) 2 times a day before meals or during meals. Duration of treatment is from 3 to 6 months. |
| Ferrum | The injection form of this drug is used only intramuscularly. First, a test dose is administered. If there is no reaction, the entire dose is administered. Prescribe 1 - 2 ampoules ( 100 mg iron) per day. |
| Venofer | Will be used intravenously. Intramuscular administration is unacceptable. Administer slowly after test dose. The dose is selected individually depending on the severity of iron deficiency. One ampoule contains 40 mg of iron. |
| Cosmopher | The drug is for intramuscular and intravenous administration. One ampoule contains 100 mg of iron. The dose and duration of treatment are selected individually. |
| Totema | Oral solution. 1 ampoule contains 50 mg of iron. Prescribe 1 ampoule orally 2-3 times a day for a course of treatment of up to six months. |
| Hematogen | In the form of chewable lozenges or bars. Iron content varies. Take 1 - 2 lozenges 2 - 3 times a day. |
Iron supplements are prescribed intravenously for extremely severe iron deficiency conditions. Also, indications for intravenous administration are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in which the absorption of iron is significantly reduced. First, a test dose is administered to exclude adverse reactions. The drug is administered only in the presence of a doctor.
Syrups, tablets and chewing strips are used to treat and prevent iron deficiency in children.
What does an elevated blood iron level indicate?
The serum iron level is considered elevated if it is above the upper acceptable limit - 30.4 µmol/l. An increase in level can be observed when various pathologies, as well as in case of overdose of iron preparations. Elevated iron levels occur when the body's intake of iron exceeds its consumption and excretion. Depending on the cause of its appearance, excess iron is divided into primary and secondary. Primary excess iron is caused by a hereditary pathology - hemochromatosis. Diseases of internal organs and many external factors lead to secondary excess iron.
Elevated levels of iron in the blood can occur with:
- Hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis – hereditary disease, in which the normal metabolism of iron is disrupted with its accumulation in organs and tissues. The accumulation of iron in organs leads to disruption of their structure and function. Subsequently, various diseases develop - liver cirrhosis ( replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue), arthritis, diabetes and others.
- Various types of anemia ( hemolytic, hypoplastic, aplastic, sideroblastic and others). An increase in iron content in various types of anemia occurs for many reasons. It depends on the type of anemia. For example, with hemolytic anemia, increased destruction of red blood cells occurs. In this case, iron from red blood cells enters the blood. In sideroblastic anemia, the utilization of iron by the bone marrow for the synthesis of hemoglobin is impaired.
- Thalassemias. Thalassemia is hereditary pathology, which is characterized by a violation of the synthesis of components ( chains) structure of hemoglobin. As a result, less iron is consumed for hemoglobin synthesis.
- Acute poisoning iron. Acute iron poisoning occurs with a significant overdose of iron preparations - taking up to 200 milligrams of iron. This can be caused by uncontrolled intake of iron supplements, self-medication, and children taking iron-containing medications in large quantities ( whole package).
- Liver diseases ( viral hepatitis, liver necrosis), spleen, pancreas. Diseases of various organs lead to metabolic disorders, impaired absorption of vitamins and microelements, and hormonal imbalances. One of the consequences is excessive accumulation of iron in the blood.
- Iron metabolism disorders. Various diseases and pathological processes can lead to impaired iron metabolism. This can manifest itself either as a decrease in its level or as an increase.
- Excessive intake of iron into the body. Excessive intake of iron into the body is possible with self-treatment with iron supplements. Also, with a normal intake of iron into the body and a disturbance in its metabolism, an increase in serum iron may be observed.
- Premenstrual period. An increase in iron levels in the premenstrual period is normal. Therefore, it is better to take a serum iron test after the end of menstruation.
- Frequent blood transfusions. With frequent blood transfusions and a short interval between them, an increase in serum iron levels is possible.
Symptoms of high iron levels in the blood include:
- nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea;
- damage to the intestinal mucosa;
- loss of appetite, weight loss;
- apathy, decreased performance;
- the appearance of pain, swelling in the joints;
- the appearance of arthritis inflammatory process in joints), atherosclerosis ( deposits of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the vessel), diabetes ( elevated blood sugar);
- decreased immunity;
- hyperpigmentation of the skin, gray-brown tint of the skin and mucous membranes;
- hair loss;
- muscle pain;
- delay in physical and mental development child;
- decreased libido ( sexual desire).
How to lower iron levels in the blood?
Excess iron in the blood can lead to many diseases - myocardial infarction, liver failure, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer. In severe cases, even to the death of a person. Therefore, with laboratory confirmed excess iron in the blood, it is necessary to take measures to reduce its level. Helps reduce iron levels in the blood:
- Use of special medications. Medicines that accelerate the excretion of iron include hepatoprotectors, zinc preparations, drugs that bind iron - deferoxamine ( desferal), thetacin calcium.
- Following a special diet. If there is an excess of iron, foods rich in this microelement are excluded from the diet. These are meat, beans, dried mushrooms, dried apples and pears, seafood and others. Also, you should not take vitamins that help improve iron absorption - B vitamins, vitamin C, folic acid. It is recommended to consume more foods that impair iron absorption - coffee, tea, foods rich in calcium, calcium and zinc supplements.
- Periodic bleeding. The procedure involves taking about 350 milliliters of blood from the patient weekly. If desired, the patient can become a blood donor.
- Hirudotherapy ( treatment with leeches). Leech treatment can also help lower blood iron levels. This happens as a result of leeches feeding on human blood. In this case, hemoglobin and iron in its composition are lost.
- Exchange blood transfusion. Exchange transfusion is used for severe iron poisoning. The procedure involves simultaneous collection of blood from the patient's bloodstream and transfusion of donor blood.
Why is hemoglobin low when serum iron levels are normal?
In some pathological conditions, hemoglobin levels may be reduced with normal or elevated serum iron levels. In these cases, anemia ( a condition characterized by low levels of hemoglobin in the blood) develops with sufficient iron intake in the body. When does this happen, and is it dangerous to human health? A low level of hemoglobin affects all human systems and organs in the form of oxygen starvation of cells. And in the future, this can lead to metabolic disorders in the tissues of the body. But why does the body produce insufficient hemoglobin when the iron level is normal? One of the reasons for low hemoglobin with normal serum iron levels is a lack of vitamin B 12 and folic acid in the body, which are involved in the process of red blood cell formation.
The treatment method is intramuscular injection of a solution of vitamin B 12 at a dose of 500-1000 mcg daily for 10 days, and then use of the drug 2-3 times a month for prophylactic purposes. Folic acid is used in a dose of 50 - 60 mg per day.
Another reason for the development of anemia with normal iron content is the problem of an insufficient number of red blood cells or inferior hemoglobin protein.
The causes of an insufficient number of red blood cells or inferior hemoglobin protein are:
- Sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is a congenital disease associated with a disorder in the structure of hemoglobin, in which it takes on a characteristic sickle shape. Clinical manifestations of sickle cell anemia are thrombosis of blood vessels of various organs with sickle-shaped erythrocytes, hemolytic anemia, pallor and jaundice of the skin, repeated thrombosis of various organs, splenomegaly ( pathological enlargement of the spleen in size), hepatomegaly ( liver enlargement), shortness of breath, general weakness and malaise. Sickle cell anemia is an incurable disease. Symptomatic treatment during a crisis is adequate hydration ( saturating the body with fluid), red blood cell transfusion ( blood product consisting of red blood cells), and intravenous administration antibiotics
- Destruction of red blood cells under the influence of certain chemicals. Destruction of red blood cells occurs when exposed to compounds of arsenic, lead, nitrites, amines, some organic acids, foreign serums, insect and snake poisons. The mechanism of the damaging effect is due to the destruction of red blood cell membranes and the release of large amounts of hemoglobin into the plasma. This leads to intense protein breakdown with subsequent damage to the excretory organs - the kidneys and liver. First aid consists of administering specific antidotes, for example, for snake bites - antisnake serums.
- Diseases of the hematopoietic organs. An insufficient number of red blood cells can be observed in some diseases of the hematopoietic organs, in particular in blood cancer - lymphosarcoma, lymphogranulomatosis and others. In such cases, pathological cells develop faster and replace the precursor cells of red blood cells and other blood cells.
What are the consequences of iron deficiency?
About 30% of the world's population suffers from a lack of iron in the body. And at the same time, about 20% do not even know about it, having a latent ( hidden) iron deficiency. Why is this microelement important for the human body? Iron is part of a very important protein for the body - hemoglobin, which plays the role of a carrier of oxygen from the lungs to all organs and tissues. Lack of iron leads to iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition characterized by impaired hemoglobin synthesis due to insufficient iron content. With a lack of oxygen, chronic oxygen starvation tissues and organs at the cellular level. This leads to functional and structural changes in these organs. Iron is also part of many enzyme systems and is found in the cells of the liver, spleen, muscles, and bone marrow. That is why its deficiency affects a person’s general well-being - general weakness, malaise, dizziness, and decreased performance appear ( as a result of metabolic disorders). Functional and regenerative functions also deteriorate ( restorative) abilities of organs and tissues, the production of enzymes and hormones decreases. Immunity is noticeably reduced, which is manifested by frequent colds.
At the level of the skin and its appendages, iron deficiency manifests itself in pallor and dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, which leads to dermatitis and eczema ( inflammatory and allergic skin diseases), stomatitis ( ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa), cheilitis ( cracks in the corners of the mouth).
With iron deficiency, the patient often suffers from bronchitis ( inflammation of the bronchi), tracheites ( inflammatory processes in the trachea), rhinitis ( inflammation of the nasal mucosa). At the level of the cardiovascular system, stabbing pain in the heart, low blood pressure, and shortness of breath during exercise appear.
With a lack of iron, thinning and atrophy of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract occurs, which is manifested by pain or burning in the tongue, perversion of taste ( patients eat chalk, clay, earth, lime), the acidity of gastric juice decreases with the formation of erosions and ulcers.
Muscle weakness due to iron deficiency leads to a false urge to urinate, urinary incontinence when coughing, laughing, or physical stress.
Children have chronic Iron-deficiency anemia leads to growth retardation, impaired memory, attention, learning disabilities, nocturnal diuresis ( spontaneous urination during sleep).
In pregnant women, iron deficiency leads to premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
Iron is a vital microelement. Its deficiency or excess leads to damage to absolutely all organs and tissues. This negatively affects a person's quality of life. In some cases, iron deficiency can lead to irreversible consequences. And severe cases of excess or deficiency of iron can lead to death.
Human health largely depends on the minerals, vitamins and other substances that he receives from food and water. Great importance For the metabolic process, metabolism, growth, development, reproductive function and proper functioning of the circulatory system, one valuable microelement plays a role - iron. It’s worth talking about it in more detail and understanding why sometimes a person faces one dangerous condition — reduced level hemoglobin. After all, people often do not fully understand what this means - low iron in the blood.
Determining the iron content in the blood is quite simple. It is enough to refer to the most common and simplest method - laboratory test blood taken from a finger. This test helps determine the level of hemoglobin in the human body. Also sometimes a more complex and detailed analysis of blood from a vein is required. Therefore, if serum iron is low, the reasons can be found after a blood test. If iron is low, a blood test will show the full picture.
It is important to monitor your health from time to time and monitor your blood counts so as not to miss the development of a pathological condition. And if a person has the first signs of low iron, and serum iron is also low, then it is worth immediately undergoing an examination. The concentration of serum iron in the blood is quite unstable. An analysis for serum iron is necessary in order to identify all pathological disorders that lead to a sharp decline iron level.
Causes of low iron in the blood
Any deviation from normal indicator, whether it is an increase or decrease in iron reserves in the body, carries with it serious consequences that affect the functioning of the entire body. The iron content in the blood is determined by how much the body is able to absorb this element. If the intestines, for unknown reasons, stop properly regulating the absorption of iron, then excess iron occurs. However, another condition is much more common - low serum iron; the causes in adults can be different. Common reasons that contribute to this condition include the following:
- Incorrectly composed diet, lack of balance.
- Extensive bleeding.
- The sleeve process of iron absorption in the intestines.
- A situation in which there is an increased need for this element.
Often the main problem for people with low iron levels is the lack of this element in the diet. Also, a person often needs to take special vitamins and elements that contribute to the proper processing and absorption of iron in the body. It is also worth understanding if iron in the blood is low: what does this mean and how to identify it?
How then can a person understand that he is eating incorrectly or has other reasons why he has low level iron in the blood? There are symptoms of low iron in the blood. If a person has a number of these signs, then he needs to be wary and go to the hospital: dryness, frizzy hair, changes in the color of the skin and nail plate, poor skin, the appearance of severe shortness of breath, changes in heart rate, weakness, increased fatigue, muscle pain, tinnitus, hours of dizziness, migraine.
Why is iron low when hemoglobin is normal?
Does it happen that a person has a critically low level of iron in the blood, but the hemoglobin level remains normal? Unfortunately, this misleading condition also occurs quite often. Most experts believe that serum iron levels are the primary outcome after testing. The normal level of iron in the blood is a condition that depends on many factors.
Low iron levels, but with normal level hemoglobin is observed at two stages of the development of iron deficiency. Low iron in the blood with normal hemoglobin is observed in these two cases:
- Prelatent state.
The tissue depot is devastated, but the transport and hemoglobin fund is preserved. Absence of any clinical signs.
- Latent stage (hidden) of iron deficiency.
There is a reduced content of iron in the depot and transport iron. The activity of many enzymes decreases, the level of hemoglobin remains at the same level.
If iron is low, hemoglobin is normal - this is a condition that requires compulsory treatment. Since these are only “signals” that disturbances have occurred in the body. To prevent the development of the disease, you should go to the hospital with laboratory test data.
What to do if your blood iron level is low
If the percentage of transferrin saturation with iron is reduced, then it is necessary to eliminate the cause that caused this condition. Among the diseases that could cause this situation are hemolytic anemia, chronic poisoning with iron or other substances, and an inflammatory process in tissues. Start saturating the body iron-containing drugs only after the cause of this condition has been eliminated.
If the coefficient of transferrin saturation with iron is reduced, then this is a sign of a reduced process of iron delivery to the erythrocyte germ. In this case, the doctor can diagnose the following pathologies: malignant tumor, cirrhosis, inflammatory process and some others. Only after the underlying cause has been eliminated is it recommended for a person to take iron supplements and normalize their diet.
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 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 impulse transmission and synthesis 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 deficiencyThe 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;
- delayed mental development and growth of children.
Epithelial tissues are the most affected by pathological changes during iron deficiency: skin, mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, mouth and respiratory tract. This is why low levels of iron in the blood often become 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;
- 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, rapid heartbeat 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 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 the required level of iron. 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. You can drink it 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 Whether drugs or prescriptions are used traditional medicine, 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 essentially the only effective folk remedy to lower iron levels Select from folk recipes a little sparing 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 break of 5 days. 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 a high content of oxalic acid, river fish, as well as oats and pearl barley in your diet.
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. Combination proper nutrition and folk recipes will help you achieve results faster.
The amount of serum iron is an important indicator of a blood test. Plasma contains proteins that perform transport functions. We are talking about the transfer of substances that cannot enter the blood and dissolve in it, moving in the desired direction. Albumin proteins are responsible for this work. One of them is the protein transferrin. Determination of this complex is necessary when it is necessary to understand the concentration of serum iron in the blood.
In a biochemical analysis, the level of a microelement is determined on the basis of hemoglobin, which is carried by red blood cells. As red blood cells go through their life cycle, a process of destruction occurs. The human spleen is responsible for this. A large number of trace elements are released. The body uses transferrin to transport it to the bone marrow, where new red blood cells are formed.
Normal levels are not the same for men and women. The norm for children under one month is determined within the range of 17.9 - 44.8 µmol/l. This category is characterized by an increased amount of iron compared to adults. Further, glandular indicators fall and already in the period from a month to a year the norm should be demonstrated from 7.2 to 17.9 µmol/l.
From one year of age to 14 years, iron levels should not fall below 9 and rise above 21.5 µmol/l. From the age of 14, the division into women and men is fixed. This is usually associated with the onset of puberty, during which women begin to experience monthly blood loss. Against the background of blood loss, there should be a decrease in serum iron.
For women over 14 years of age, a reading from 9 to 30.4 µmol/l will be normal. For men - from 11.6 to 31.3 µmol/l. During pregnancy, the indicator changes. This is due to the body’s need to engage in additional transfer of microelements and substances. Since the body is faced with a double load, it does everything possible to avoid exhaustion. During pregnancy, women have higher iron levels than normal.
Blood for research is required to be donated during pregnancy, as it allows you to see a deficiency or excess of iron. Both deviations from the norm can harm the unborn child.
Low levels lead to the formation of anemia, which is characterized by not the most pleasant symptoms. Exaggerated indicators lead to negative impact on the condition of the mother and the development of her child.
Performing an Analysis
To take an iron test, it is important to prepare properly. The level increases as much as possible in the morning; this time is recommended for taking an iron blood test.
A blood sample is taken for serum iron on an empty stomach. At least eight hours must pass after the last meal until the time of analysis. Still water is allowed. If the test for iron content in the blood is scheduled for the daytime, then before the test, no later than four hours before, you can have a light snack.
Immediately one day before the analysis, it is important to eliminate excessive stress from both a physical and psycho-emotional point of view. It is prohibited to drink any drink containing alcohol. In order for the analysis to show the correct values, all medications containing iron must be stopped a week before the test.
Doctors advise checking the levels of the indicator when diagnosing anemia, regardless of its etiology, when monitoring the therapy required for iron deficiency anemia. This will allow you to understand whether there are excess substances in the blood.
The reasons why you are referred for appropriate testing may include the presence of acute and chronic infections or systemic inflammation. Both high iron content and iron deficiency can form. Gastrointestinal problems associated with poor nutrition and the presence of malabsorption can lead to the fact that little iron enters the body, which means there is a risk of anemia. Excess iron can be caused by uncontrolled use of medications containing iron.
Increasing values
Excess iron is a rarer occurrence. Hemochromatosis can increase the rate. The disease is genetic in nature. As a result of its course, the amount of iron in the blood will increase, which will lead to its accumulation in organs of vital importance.
An overestimated value can provoke serious consequences, since the production of free radicals is stimulated. Inflated values may be due to transfusion or excessive use of biological additives. High iron levels manifest themselves:
- nausea;
- strange sensations in the stomach;
- darkening of the skin;
- weakness and fatigue, manifested chronically.
Against the background of this increased iron content, weight is lost. Hair becomes weak and falls out. Against the background of an overestimated microelement, the level of sugar in the blood also increases, and mood swings are observed.
Low values
The disadvantage is no less useful. The decline can be both natural and pathological. Many expectant mothers know firsthand when the indicator value is low. Most often, pregnant women begin to feel the deficiency in the last trimester. Deficiency is not a pathology. This is the body's natural reaction to changes, especially if low iron is present with normal hemoglobin.
Iron deficiency can also develop against the background of insufficient intake of it from food into the body. These conditions are familiar to people suffering from anorexia or who do not know how to balance their diet. Vegetarians suffer from iron deficiency.
Diseases can also lead to deficiency. Common cause is iron deficiency anemia. The provocateur of this condition may be a problem with the gastrointestinal tract, due to which micro and macroelements are not absorbed correctly. Iron levels decrease due to gastritis, when there is a lack of hydrochloric acid. The danger comes from enterocolitis, intestinal or gastric tumors.
A redistribution deficit may also form. We are talking about diseases in which iron from plasma is actively absorbed by elements of the macrophage system. Such processes are possible in the presence of inflammation or a purulent-septic problem in the body. Tumors characterized by active growth, rheumatism, myocardial infarction, and osteomyelitis have the same effect.
Renal pathologies cannot be excluded from possible causes. Kidney problems lead to improper elimination and metabolism. Frequent bleeding affect the level of iron in the blood.
Proper treatment
Excess and deficiency of iron must be treated without fail. In the first case, therapy is aimed at reducing the amount of this microelement. One way is to donate 350 ml of blood weekly. This process is called bleeding. During the treatment period, it is prohibited to take any biological supplements containing iron. Filtered water is suitable for drinking; cooking in iron utensils is prohibited. To reduce iron absorption, you can switch to green and rosemary tea.
The increase is associated with determining the root cause for which it increased. Malabsorption cannot be cured by diet. The increase is associated with iron saturation daily diet. We are talking about the consumption of meat products, in particular heme iron. This is veal, beef or rabbit.
The liver contains a lot of iron, but consuming it in large quantities is prohibited, since in mammals the liver is a detoxification organ, which means that various kinds of toxins can enter your body. Despite the lack of iron in eggs, they contain many B vitamins and phospholipids, which are so necessary to increase the absorption of iron.
