Iron is not synthesized within the body of an individual. This trace element comes only from the outside, that is, with food. An adult contains this Catholic substance: from 2.5 to 3.5 grams, of which about 70 percent is part of hemoglobin. The remaining amount is in stock in the form of protein compounds of ferritin and hemoxidine. If necessary, the body spends accumulation. The main functions of iron is to participate in oxidative reactions, to ensure the structure of the protein molecule of red blood cells and hemoglobin in order to retain oxygen. An insufficient amount of this element negatively affects the formation of hemoglobin, as a result, oxygen starvation develops. Analysis for iron will allow you to see the problem in a timely manner and take the necessary medical manipulations.
general information
Iron is considered one of the important elements of the blood, a large amount of it is in the red blood cells (erythrocytes). In the body of an individual, iron takes part in the process of hematopoiesis. Maintaining this element at a certain level in the bloodstream is necessary for the binding, transfer and transfer of oxygen. Iron is involved in oxidative reactions, the work of the immune system. The substance entering the body is absorbed in the intestine and then spreads through the blood vessels. Stocks are stored in the bone marrow, liver and spleen. Maintaining a certain level in the body is achieved by eating foods containing a sufficient amount of this element:
- walnuts;
- legumes;
- soybeans;
- meat;
- fish;
- liver;
- cereals made from millet, oats or buckwheat, and others.
The absorption of trace elements is facilitated by vitamin C found in herbs, vegetables and fruits. About 40 percent is absorbed from protein foods. Suction is carried out in the duodenum. In women, the need for iron is significantly higher than in the opposite. This is due to the peculiarities of the female body: menstruation, pregnancy, feeding the baby with breast milk. During menstruation, part of the iron is lost, and during the period of carrying the baby and its feeding, the need increases almost one and a half times. The children's body also needs an increased intake due to constant growth. Regardless of gender and age, both lack and lack of iron are harmful to the body. This can be detected using routine research.
Procedure
How to pass an analysis for iron? Doctors recommend taking biomaterial before nine in the morning, as it is during this period that the optimum iron content in the bloodstream is observed. This type of research is carried out in any healthcare institution both in private and in public. The biomaterial is taken by a laboratory assistant from a vein into a dry test tube. All manipulation lasts about two minutes. Further, the individual is recommended to drink sweet tea with chocolate in order to restore blood sugar levels and to avoid dizziness. Deciphering the results lasts approximately three to four hours. Iron is sampled from blood serum. If abnormalities are found, additional examinations are prescribed, as they signal health problems. After establishing a diagnosis and the reasons that provoked this condition, a course of treatment is prescribed. In laboratories, the concentration of iron in the blood serum is determined.
In addition to blood biochemistry, you can determine the level of iron by using special test strips that are purchased at a pharmacy. The determination of the content of a trace element occurs by changing the color of the indicator paper. This method is called express analysis for iron, using it, check the level of this indicator during the day.
Indications
Low hemoglobin level is the result of insufficient intake of iron, which further contributes to the development of anemia. As a result, many organs and systems of the body fail, immunity falls, the kids lag behind in development and growth. A blood test for iron is indicated in the following situations:
- violation of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract;
- differential diagnosis of anemia ;
- hypo - or vitamin deficiency;
- assessment of the effectiveness of treatment with medicines containing iron;
- diagnosis of infectious diseases in acute and chronic form, and others.
Preparatory measures for the delivery of biomaterial
For the reliability of the results of laboratory tests, preparation for analysis for iron is necessary, which consists in the following:
- take biomaterial in the morning, because at this time the highest iron content in the blood;
- 8-12 hours before delivery do not eat;
- liquid intake should also be excluded;
- refuse to take drugs in agreement with the treating doctor;
- a day before the study, exclude alcohol-containing drinks, fried and fatty foods from the diet;
- on the eve of the delivery of biomaterial to refrain from physical activity, including charging;
- on the day of blood donation, do not brush your teeth or use chewing gum or breath fresheners, or smoke.
How to pass the test for iron? First, comply with the above rules. Then, before entering the laboratory, sit for a few minutes, calm down and relax. We must remember that the results of the study are influenced by stress, menstruation, poor sleep, taking Metformin, Aspirin, Testosterone, that is, these factors reduce the concentration of iron. Distortion of the result is possible with the use of “Cyanocobalamin”, alcohol-containing drinks, oral contraceptives and even one tablet containing iron. In these cases, the concentration of the trace element will be reduced or overstated. Thus, errors in preparation for the delivery of biomaterial negatively affect the results of the study and do not reflect the true picture.
Analysis for iron: normal (μmol / L)
The concentration of the trace element depends on how much deposited iron is in the bone marrow, spleen, intestines, and also on the production and breakdown of hemoglobin. With sweat, urine, feces, hair and nails, natural losses of iron from the individual's body occur. Allowable indicators depend on gender and age:
- Women - from 8.95 to 30.43. The iron content reaches a peak in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and after menstruation its amount decreases. While the baby is waiting, when organs are formed in the fetus, a slight decrease in iron is observed, and then it again rises.
- Men - from 11.64 to 30.43.
- From a year to 14 years - from 8.95 to 21.48.
- From one month to a year - from 7.16 to 17.9.
- From birth to one month, from 17.9 to 44.8.
With age, the differences become barely noticeable, the amount of iron decreases in both sexes.
A reduced iron content indicates:
- acute or chronic ailments of an infectious nature;
- anemia
- bleeding
- hepatitis;
- tumors;
- cirrhosis;
- hypothyroidism;
- digestive problems.
In addition, in a blood test for iron, its low content is detected with increased physical activity, taking medications such as glucocorticoids, androgens, acetylsalicylic acid. A commitment to vegetarianism also helps lower iron levels in the body.
A high concentration of trace elements accompanies the following pathologies:
- poisoning with iron preparations, lead;
- hemolytic anemia;
- leukemia;
- thalassemia;
- lack of folic acid and B vitamins: B 6 and B 12 ;
- hemochromatosis;
- nephritis.
An increase in iron in the blood provokes the intake of estrogen, oral contraceptives and some other medicines.
What can be determined in a blood test?
An indirect factor in the violation of the content of this trace element is a change in the concentration of hemoglobin. It is by its value that the doctor is guided which tests to take for iron. Typically, the following types of studies are prescribed:
- Total iron binding capacity. This value is determined by its maximum amount, which is retained by the protein substances of the blood.
- The presence of ferritin in serum. This indicator indicates the reserves of trace elements in tissues.
- Serum iron level.
Reasons for the increase
A high concentration of this element is not always a pathology. Factors contributing to its increase:
- uncontrolled intake of iron tablets;
- extensive burns;
- multiple transfusions of red blood cells and blood;
- various types of anemia: hemolytic, aplastic, as well as anemia associated with impaired heme and porphyrin production or with a lack of cyanocobalamin.
Excess iron, in all forms of the disease, is formed from inferior, destroyed red blood cells. Timely made blood biochemistry allows you to diagnose the disease and begin appropriate treatment. During therapy, the test for iron is indicated for control.
Reasons for low concentration
Identified, as a result of the analysis, the deficiency of the trace element occurs for the following reasons:
- avitaminosis;
- a malfunction in the intestinal functions, as a result of which the absorption of iron is impaired;
- increased consumption;
- heavy bleeding, for example, gastrointestinal, causes a decrease in red blood cells, and, accordingly, iron;
- anemia;
- pancreatitis
- gastritis;
- enterocolitis in the chronic stage.
During pregnancy, the fetus takes away part of the iron from the mother, which is necessary for the formation of the baby’s internal organs. In addition, its increased consumption is observed during breastfeeding. In the absence of compensation, there is a lack of iron in the body of a woman, whose symptoms are manifested as follows:
- pallor of the skin;
- low pressure;
- weakness
- dizziness
- fatigue;
- a change in the taste of the foods used.
Compliance with the diet selected by the doctor will help a woman prevent this condition.
Iron-deficiency anemia
According to ICD-10, the disease is assigned a code - D50. No characteristic symptoms are observed. Of the clinical manifestations, weakness, dizziness, pallor of the dermis and mucous membranes are most often found. Until the first symptoms appear, anemia is hidden. In this case, the lack of iron is made up from stocks. It is detected by donating blood to ferritin. Anemia is provoked by a large loss of blood or a lack of iron in the body caused by:
- injuries
- long and heavy menstruation;
- uterine bleeding, provoked by fibroids, endometriosis;
- vegetarianism
- hidden bleeding from hemorrhoids or the digestive tract;
- problems with iron absorption due to illness or old age;
- taking medications that impair the absorption of the trace element, for example, Ranitidine, Almagel, Omeprazole, and others;
- pregnancy
- hereditary pathologies.
A pronounced period of anemia occurs when the reserves are completely exhausted, the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin decreases. A characteristic diagnostic sign of anemia is a decrease in the level of the latter. Successful treatment requires eliminating the cause of the disease and then replenishing iron deficiency.
During pregnancy
Due to the increased load on the female body during this period, the need for trace elements, including iron, also increases. The latter is necessary for the development of the future baby. Symptoms of a lack of iron in the body of a woman are manifested:
- pallor of the dermis;
- constant weakness;
- fatigue;
- pressure reduction;
- violation of taste.
Correction of iron deficiency is carried out by changing the diet and taking medications prescribed by the doctor.
Decreased serum iron. Causes
In women, this indicator is slightly lower than in men. The maximum level is observed in the morning, and then its concentration drops. Analysis of serum iron is important for monitoring the effectiveness of therapy in various diseases, including anemia, as well as for differential diagnosis. Anemia for some time proceeds almost imperceptibly, gradually causing serious disturbances in the functioning of the individual's body. Of the external signs of the disease, it should be noted:
- headache;
- drowsiness;
- general weakness;
- fatigue;
- dizziness;
- violation of smell and taste;
- pallor of the dermis;
- seizures in the corners of the mouth;
- fragility of hair and nail plates;
- fever to subfebrile for no particular reason.
There are several factors contributing to a decrease in serum iron. The most common are:
- resection of the stomach or intestines;
- iron deficiency anemia (according to ICD-10 - D50);
- tuberculosis;
- Crohn's disease;
- endocarditis;
- lupus erythematosus;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- nutritional deficiency;
- childhood;
- pregnancy;
- chronic renal failure;
- malignant and benign neoplasms;
- deficiency in the diet of ascorbic acid.
How to increase the level of matter through diet?
As mentioned above, it is necessary to find out the reason for the decrease in the concentration of this element in the blood. For example, if its absorption is impaired, then no matter how much the patient ate foods fortified with iron, his indicators will be low. Thus, after passing the test for iron, an examination should be done to find out the reasons for its fall, and then proceed to increase it, including the following products in the diet:
- meat - lamb, rabbit, veal, goose, beef;
- liver of various animals;
- eggs
- buckwheat;
- citrus;
- vegetables and fruits;
- sauerkraut.
It is important to remember that products containing calcium (cottage cheese, white bread, milk, etc.) inhibit the absorption of iron. The process of getting iron into the tissue, as well as into the reserve, is designed so that its excess is not absorbed. Thus, the body of an individual takes this element from food in the quantity he needs.
Elevated serum iron. Causes
A high level of this trace element is considered a severe anomaly that provokes the occurrence of cancer of the intestine and liver. Symptoms are similar to a hepatitis clinic:
- weight loss;
- yellowness of the dermis;
- arrhythmia;
- an increase in the size of the liver;
- malfunction of the pancreas and heart.
And also an increased concentration of serum iron provokes the development of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
The reasons for the increase are:
- an anomaly in which the structure of hemoglobin is changed;
- large blood transfusion;
- acute poisoning with preparations containing iron.
Conclusion
A micronutrient deficiency identified as a result of analysis for iron is a fairly common situation among older, young women and children. Deficiency in infants is associated with insufficient intake of food, and in adults with chronic blood loss. In some cases, it will be necessary to undergo a course of special drugs.
Accompanied by a lack of iron, dizziness, dryness and pallor of the dermis, hair loss and other symptoms. The reasons for the low value are many. You can get information about the name of the analysis for iron, how to pass it correctly and what the results say about it directly from your doctor. If necessary, an in-depth study, the doctor will recommend an expanded set of tests.