Normal values of iron in the blood for women and the causes of deviations. Iron in the blood: normal, high and low levels What can be determined in a blood test
Irina Demyanchuk
In the human body, iron is an important microelement Fe, which is involved in the process of oxygen transfer and is responsible for the oxygen saturation of tissues. The ions of this substance are the main component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, it is thanks to it that the blood is red and not any other color.
Nutrition affects the increase in iron levels. Together with the food, the microelement enters the stomach, is absorbed in the intestines, and enters the bone marrow, due to which the production of red blood cells occurs.
If the level of iron in the blood is elevated, it is deposited in the reserve fund - in the liver and spleen. When iron in the blood is low, the body begins to use the reserve.
Types of iron in the body
Iron in the body can be classified depending on the functions it performs and where it is located:
- The functions of cellular iron are to transport oxygen;
- The functions of extracellular serum, which includes Fe-binding serum proteins - transferrin and lactoferrin - as well as free plasma iron, are responsible for the amount of hemoglobin;
- The reserve fund - or reserves - is hemosiderin and ferritin, protein compounds that, accumulating in the liver and spleen, are responsible for red blood cells so that they are always viable.
With a biochemical blood test - it is taken from a vein - which is carried out to determine the amount of iron in the serum, and a hemoglobin test - in this case you have to prick your finger - the condition of the whole organism is determined.
These indicators change during acute inflammatory processes, regardless of their etiology. They are also necessary to identify errors in nutrition and determine the degree of intoxication. Disruption of metabolic processes in the body, excess or decrease in the amount of nutrients necessary for normal life - indicators of these conditions are indicators of iron and hemoglobin.
The amount of Fe depends on the age of a person, his physiological structure, and gender. This important indicator is measured in µmol/l.
In infants, the normal level is from 7.16 to 17.90 µmol/l. In young children and adolescents under 13-14 years of age, it is already 8.95 to 21.48 µmol/l. The norm of iron in the blood for women at the lower limit is slightly less than for men of the same age.
The lower limit for women is 8.95 µmol/l, for men – 11.64 µmol/l. The upper level is the same for everyone – 30.43 µmol/l.
Women lose much more iron than men - they have to replace it after each menstruation. About 18 mg of this microelement should be supplied to the body per day through food. Children also need to replenish the level of this substance - it is spent during increased growth.
Indicators during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the rate of essential iron supplied with food must increase by 1.5 times, otherwise there is a risk of pathologies associated with fetal development.
The body must absorb at least 30 mg of this substance per day. The lower limit of normal iron in the blood during pregnancy is at least 13 µmol/l.
Iron is distributed like this:
- 400 mg – for fetal development;
- 50–75 mg – an enlarged uterus, whose vessels must be intensively supplied with oxygen;
- 100 mg reaches the placenta, which is permeated through with blood vessels, through which the life activity of the unborn baby is fully supported.
In addition, the acceleration of metabolic processes and the load on blood vessels also requires an increase in the amount of Fe. It is necessary to lay down a reserve - during childbirth there will be a large loss of hemoglobin.
To increase the level of iron in the blood, pregnant women are often prescribed vitamin complexes and iron-containing preparations: “Sorbifer”, “Ferrum Lek” and others.
The level of serum iron in the blood of pregnant women must be monitored.
Any deviation negatively affects the development of the fetus. This indicator also indicates the state of the reserve - how much iron is contained in the bone marrow, spleen and liver.
The value of the indicator differs significantly during pregnancy - in the second trimester it is lowest. At this time, the internal organs and glands of the fetus are actively forming.
The value also varies throughout the day, so it is very important that blood is drawn at the same time. The highest level of iron is in the morning, when the body has rested and metabolic processes proceed more slowly.
Deficiency and excess of microelements necessary for life
If the iron level is reduced, iron deficiency anemia occurs, which is popularly called anemia. With anemia, the body's activity is disrupted, which in childhood threatens with retarded growth and mental development.
Regardless of age, anemia causes the following dangerous conditions:
- shortness of breath occurs;
- tachycardia appears, independent of physical effort;
- muscle hypotension occurs;
- digestion is upset;
- loss of appetite.
External manifestations of anemia are as follows:
- The quality of the hair deteriorates, it becomes dry and lifeless;
- the skin turns pale and loses tone;
- nails and teeth are destroyed.
Elevated iron levels in the blood also cause unfavorable changes and indicate serious systemic diseases of the body:
- Bronze diabetes or hemochromatosis. This hereditary pathology does not allow the body to get rid of the iron reserve that it has accumulated.
- Hemolytic anemia. During this disease, red blood cells - erythrocytes - are destroyed, and excess hemoglobin circulates in the blood plasma. In this case, the spleen and liver actively replenish the supply from reserves until they are completely depleted, and then death can occur.
- Disruption of metabolic processes in the circulatory system causes the occurrence of aplastic anemia, in which red blood cells that mature in reserve systems enter the bloodstream not yet ready for work, and old ones are not excreted on time.
- Nephritis is a kidney disease.
- Toxic conditions caused by lead poisoning or abuse of iron-containing drugs.
- Hepatitis of various etiologies provokes an increased release of bilirubin into the blood, which causes hemolytic jaundice to develop.
- Thalassemia is a hereditary pathology.
A lack of B vitamins - B6, B9 and B12 itself - disrupts the absorption of iron entering the blood.
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 a low content of this microelement leads to weakened immunity, constant illness, reduces muscle tone, and causes digestive problems. In children, iron deficiency causes growth and development delays.
In addition, iron deficiency can indicate very dangerous diseases, such as 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 the total amount of iron in the human body ranges from two to seven grams, which depends on the gender, weight and age of the person. In its pure form, this substance is not found 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 carbon dioxide to itself. After this, the red blood cell is sent to the lungs, where the iron atoms easily part with 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 participates in hematopoiesis, the production of DNA, and 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 for the synthesis of 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 the male body, the 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 of a healthy person should 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 the female body, its amount is less than in men. In women of reproductive age, iron concentration depends on menstruation. In the second half of the cycle, the levels of this microelement reach their highest values; after menstruation, its level decreases significantly, 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 nutrition. 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 and a weakened nervous system. In this case, you need to put it in order and avoid stress.
Pathological causes
Iron deficiency can cause 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).
- A 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.
Due to the fact that iron deficiency can be caused by various reasons, if a lack of a microelement 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 level of iron in the blood for women is an important indicator that reflects the efficiency of the hematopoiesis process. Its deviation indicates a change in the process of oxygen transport during blood circulation through the vessels. The needs of the female body for this element exceed those of men. This is due to the peculiarities of its functioning and the loss of a small amount of blood every month during menstrual bleeding.
What is the need for iron in the body?
Iron is a chemical element that is found in large quantities in red blood cells, which are blood cells. It is part of hemoglobin and is involved in the process of oxygen transfer. A small amount of iron was detected in the blood serum. Among the functions of this element are:
- participation in tissue respiration;
- participation in the activity of skeletal muscles.
The blood, with the red blood cells and hemoglobin it contains, takes up the oxygen that entered the lungs during breathing. Then it is transported to all cells of the human body. In this case, carbon dioxide formed during cellular work is taken away. Without such a process, the harmonious functioning of the human body is impossible, which determines the value of the microelement. Serum iron is a constituent of plasma. The intake of this element is possible only with food, so its amount in the blood directly depends on the quality of nutrition.
When is a blood iron test indicated?
A biochemical study that reflects the amount of iron in the blood is a necessary examination when identifying various diseases. He is appointed:
- when investigating violations in the menu;
- for the purpose of diagnosing anemia, that is, a lack of iron in the blood;
- to confirm the diagnosis of the presence of various infectious diseases in acute and chronic form;
- when studying conditions such as hypo- and vitamin deficiency;
- for the purpose of examination in case of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.
Features of biochemical research
Biological material for biochemical research is given from a vein in the morning. The last meal should be 8 hours before the test.
In this case, treatment with iron supplements is stopped two weeks before the analysis.
Otherwise, the normal indicator will be distorted. General requirements for submitting biological material include:
- limiting heavy physical activity the day before;
- limiting fatty and spicy foods on the menu;
- excluding alcohol the day before.
Iron indicators
- For children under two years old - from 7 to 18 µmol/l of iron;
- for children under 14 years of age – from 9 to 22 µmol/l iron;
- for an adult man – from 11 to 31 µmol/l of iron;
- for an adult woman – from 9 to 30 µmol/l of iron.
The largest amount of the element is found in the blood of newborns and ranges from 17.9 to 44.8 µmol/l. Then the indicators decrease, already per year ranging from 7.16 to 17.9. The level of iron in the blood depends on the individual characteristics of a particular person. Great importance is attached to weight, height, hemoglobin levels, and the presence of various diseases. An important role belongs to nutrition and its quality.
Increasing the amount of iron in the blood
In some cases, in the presence of pathological processes in the body, the level of the element in the body exceeds the permissible normal values. Such situations include:
- anemia of various nature;
- increased absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract;
- development of hemosiderosis associated with multiple blood transfusions or taking large amounts of iron-containing drugs;
- disruption of the process of hematopoiesis in the bone marrow when iron is introduced into the precursor cells of red blood cells;
- pathological processes in the liver;
- long-term use (more than 2 months) of iron-containing medications in tablets.
Reduced element content
The human body is unable to produce iron. Therefore, the quantity of the element that comes with various products has priority. A low amount of iron is observed in the absence of proper attention to one's own diet.
The development of certain diseases also contributes to this.
Iron in the blood can be reduced as a result of:
- development of nutritional deficiency with insufficient intake of iron from food (vegetarianism, passion for fatty foods, dairy diet);
- the presence of a high need for any elements (age up to 2 years, adolescence, pregnancy, lactation);
- advanced gastrointestinal disease, in which absorption processes are disrupted (enterocolitis, cancer pathologies);
- redistribution shortage due to the development of inflammatory or purulent-septic infectious processes, cancer, myocardial infarction;
- excess hemosiderin in various tissues;
- pathological processes in the kidneys;
- excessive excretion of the element in the urine;
- bleeding of various nature, long-term;
- active process of hematopoiesis, when a large amount of iron is consumed;
- disturbances in the outflow of bile from the biliary tract;
- insufficient intake of vitamin C from food;
Pregnancy is accompanied by an increased load on a woman’s body. This causes an increase in the need for various microelements. A sufficient amount of iron during pregnancy is necessary for optimal oxygen supply to the fetus. Without this, the harmonious development of the unborn child is impossible.
The development of iron deficiency anemia is manifested by such signs as:
- high fatigue, feeling of constant weakness;
- disturbance of taste sensations;
- pale skin;
- drop in blood pressure.
If a girl turns to a doctor with similar complaints, pregnancy is first ruled out or confirmed. This is necessary for the timely prevention of oxygen starvation of the fetus.
How to properly deal with iron deficiency
Situations when the amount of an important trace element in the blood is increased are associated with the development of specific diseases. Cases of iron deficiency are more common. This is especially true after 50 years. If its content in the blood is reduced, it is necessary to exclude relevant diseases and reconsider your diet.
By consuming certain foods, you can increase your iron levels in a short time. These include:
- pomegranate juice;
- beet;
- buckwheat grain;
- grape;
- meat by-products;
- chicken egg yolks;
- red meat;
- legumes
There are folk recipes that allow you to quickly increase your iron levels.
- A mixture of buckwheat powder and walnuts, doused with honey. The cereal and nuts can be ground in a coffee grinder.
- A mixture of dried fruits and honey. For this, dried apricots, walnuts and raisins are pre-chopped. You can use a blender. The product is taken up to three times a day, one tablespoon.
Prevention measures
In order to prevent the development of iron deficiency, it is necessary to carry out timely preventive measures. These include compliance with the following rules:
- Food quality control. The diet should include a variety of foods. This will allow you to avoid both an overabundance of various elements and their deficiency.
- Timely treatment of various diseases. This will prevent the development of complications and transition to a chronic form.
- Timely consultation with a doctor for various health problems. This is especially important after 40 years, when age-related changes are observed.
Iron is an essential element for the proper functioning of the human body. Its content in the blood of women during pregnancy and young children is especially important. A deviation of iron levels towards an increase or decrease indicates the presence of pathological processes. Blood iron levels vary for women during pregnancy.
Expectant mothers and ladies planning a child should remember this. For the purpose of timely examination, it is necessary to consult a doctor if there are health deviations in the direction of deterioration. Changing your diet and following your doctor’s recommendations will help you avoid the development of iron deficiency.
In contact with
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! Men and women have different normal levels.
When is a blood test prescribed for iron levels in the body?
You can find out the amount of iron in the blood using a biochemical study. 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. Clean drinking water is acceptable, both at night and in the morning.
Important! 14 days before blood sampling, you must stop taking iron supplements.
The day before the test, you should avoid heavy 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 is 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
- Elevated levels 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 of ascorbic acid from 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 levels 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, you should identify the pathological conditions that lead to this and pay attention to your nutritional 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.
- Raisins, 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 all the 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 appearance of concomitant diseases and the transition to a chronic course of the main pathology;
- constant supervision by a therapist. Especially after the age of 45, as a structural restructuring of the body occurs.
Iron is an important element due 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.
The human body contains almost all the elements of D. I. Mendeleev’s table, but not all of them carry such biological significance as iron. Iron in the blood is most concentrated in red blood cells-, namely, in their important component - hemoglobin: heme (Fe ++) + protein (globin).
A certain amount of this chemical element is permanently present in plasma and tissues - as a complex compound with protein and in the composition of hemosiderin. The normal adult body should have 4 to 7 grams of iron.. The loss of an element for any reason leads to an iron deficiency condition called anemia. To identify this pathology, laboratory diagnostics include a test such as the determination of serum iron, or iron in the blood, as the patients themselves say.
Normal level of iron in the body
In blood serum, iron is found in complex with a protein that binds and transports it – transferrin (25% Fe). Typically, the reason for calculating the concentration of an element in blood serum (serum iron) is a low level of hemoglobin, which, as is known, is one of the main parameters.
The level of iron in the blood fluctuates throughout the day, its average concentration for men and women is different and is: 14.30 – 25.10 µmol per liter of male blood and 10.70 – 21.50 µmol/l in the female half. Such differences are largely due to the menstrual cycle, which affects only individuals of a certain gender. With age, the differences disappear, the amount of the element decreases in both men and women, and iron deficiency can be observed to the same extent in both sexes. The level of iron in the blood of infants, as well as children and adults, male and female, is different, therefore, to make it more convenient for the reader, it is better to present it in the form of a small table:
However, it should be borne in mind that, like other biochemical indicators, normal blood iron levels may vary slightly from one source to another. In addition, we consider it useful to remind the reader of the rules for passing the analysis:
- Blood is donated on an empty stomach (it is advisable to fast for 12 hours);
- A week before the study, pills for the treatment of IDA are discontinued;
- After a blood transfusion, the analysis is postponed for several days.
To determine the level of iron in the blood, serum is used as a biological material, that is, blood is taken without an anticoagulant and dried new a test tube that never comes into contact with detergents.
Functions of iron in the blood and biological significance of the element
Why is so much attention paid to iron in the blood, why is this element considered a vital component, and why can’t a living organism survive without it? It's all about the functions that the hardware performs:
- Ferrum (heme of hemoglobin) concentrated in the blood is involved in tissue respiration;
- The microelement found in the muscles (in the composition) ensures the normal activity of skeletal muscles.
The main functions of iron in the blood coincide with one of the main tasks of the blood itself and what it contains. Blood (erythrocytes and hemoglobin) takes oxygen that enters the lungs from the external environment and transports it to the most remote corners of the human body, and carries out carbon dioxide formed as a result of tissue respiration for removal from the body.
scheme: myshared, Efremova S.A.
Thus, iron plays a key role in the respiratory activity of hemoglobin, and this applies only to the divalent ion (Fe++). The conversion of ferrous iron to ferric iron and the formation of a very strong compound called methemoglobin (MetHb) occurs under the influence of strong oxidizing agents. Degeneratively altered red blood cells containing MetHb begin to break down (), and therefore cannot perform their respiratory functions - a condition occurs for the body tissues acute hypoxia.
A person himself does not know how to synthesize this chemical element; iron is brought into his body by food products: meat, fish, vegetables and fruits. However, it is difficult for us to absorb iron from plant sources, but vegetables and fruits containing large quantities of ascorbic acid increase the absorption of the microelement from animal products by 2–3 times.
Fe is absorbed in the duodenum and along the small intestine, and a deficiency of iron in the body promotes enhanced absorption, and an excess causes a blockage of this process. The large intestine does not absorb iron. During the day, we absorb an average of 2 - 2.5 mg of Fe, but the female body needs almost 2 times more of this element than the male, because monthly losses are quite noticeable (1 mg of iron is lost from 2 ml of blood).
Increased content
An increased content of iron in, just like a lack of the element in the serum, indicates certain pathological conditions of the body.
Given that we have a mechanism that prevents the absorption of excess iron, an increase in iron may be due to the formation of ferrum as a result of pathological reactions somewhere in the body (increased breakdown of red blood cells and the release of iron ions) or a breakdown of the mechanism that regulates intake. An increase in iron levels makes you suspect:
- of various origins (, aplastic,);
- Excessive absorption in the gastrointestinal tract due to a violation of the limiting mechanism (hemochromatosis).
- caused by multiple blood transfusions or overdose of ferrum-containing drugs used for the treatment and prevention of iron deficiency conditions (intramuscular or intravenous administration).
- Failure of hematopoiesis in the bone marrow at the stage of incorporation of iron into erythrocyte precursor cells (sideroachrestic anemia, lead poisoning, use of oral contraceptives).
- Liver lesions (viral and acute hepatitis of any origin, acute liver necrosis, chronic cholecystitis, various hepatopathies).
When determining iron in the blood, one should keep in mind cases where the patient has been receiving iron-containing tablets for a long time (2–3 months).
Lack of iron in the body
Due to the fact that we ourselves do not produce this microelement, we often do not pay attention to the nutrition and composition of the products we consume (as long as it is tasty), over time our body begins to experience iron deficiency.
Fe deficiency is accompanied by various symptoms of anemia: dizziness, spots before the eyes, pale and dry skin, hair loss, brittle nails and many other troubles. A low level of iron in the blood can be due to many reasons:
- Nutritional deficiency that develops as a result of low intake of the element from food (preference for vegetarianism or, conversely, a passion for fatty foods that do not contain iron, or a transition to a dairy diet containing calcium and preventing the absorption of Fe).
- The body's high needs for any microelements (children under 2 years of age, adolescents, pregnant women and nursing mothers) lead to a reduced level of them in the blood (this applies primarily to iron).
- Iron deficiency anemia as a result of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that prevent the normal absorption of iron in the intestine: gastritis with reduced secretory ability, enteritis, enterocolitis, neoplasms in the stomach and intestines, surgical interventions with resection of the stomach or part of the small intestine (resorption deficiency).
- Redistribution deficiency against the background of inflammatory, purulent-septic and other infections, rapidly growing tumors, osteomyelitis (absorption of iron from plasma by cellular elements of the mononuclear phagocytic system) - in a blood test, the amount of Fe will, of course, be reduced.
- Excessive accumulation of hemosiderin in the tissues of internal organs (hemosiderosis) leads to a low level of iron in the plasma, which is very noticeable when examining the patient's serum.
- Lack of erythropoietin production in the kidneys as a manifestation of chronic renal failure (CRF) or other kidney pathology.
- Increased excretion of iron in urine in nephrotic syndrome.
- The cause of low iron content in the blood and the development of IDA can be prolonged bleeding (nose, gum, during menstruation, from hemorrhoids, etc.).
- Active hematopoiesis with significant use of the element.
- Cirrhosis, liver cancer. Other malignant and some benign (uterine fibroids) tumors.
- Stagnation of bile in the biliary tract (cholestasis) with the development of obstructive jaundice.
- Lack of ascorbic acid in the diet, which promotes the absorption of iron from other foods.
How to increase?
In order to increase the level of iron in the blood, you need to accurately identify the reason for its decrease. After all, you can consume as many microelements as you like with food, but all efforts will be in vain if their absorption is impaired.
Thus, we will only ensure transit through the gastrointestinal tract, but will not find out the true reason for the low Fe content in the body, therefore first you need to undergo a comprehensive examination and listen to the recommendations of your doctor.
And we can only advise increasing it with an iron-rich diet:
- Consumption of meat products (veal, beef, hot lamb, rabbit). Poultry meat is not particularly rich in the element, but if you have to choose, turkey and goose are better choices. Pork lard contains absolutely no iron, so it is not worth considering.
- There is a lot of Fe in the liver of various animals, which is not surprising, it is a hematopoietic organ, but at the same time, the liver is a detoxification organ, so excessive consumption may not be beneficial.
- There is little or no iron in eggs, but they contain a high content of vitamins B12, B1 and phospholipids.
- Buckwheat is recognized as the best cereal for the treatment of IDA.
- Cottage cheese, cheeses, milk, white bread, being calcium-containing products, inhibit the absorption of iron, so these products should be consumed separately from a diet aimed at combating low ferrum levels.
- To increase the absorption of the element in the intestines, you will have to dilute the protein diet with vegetables and fruits containing ascorbic acid (vitamin C). It is concentrated in large quantities in citrus fruits (lemon, orange) and sauerkraut. In addition, some plant foods themselves are rich in iron (apples, prunes, peas, beans, spinach), but iron is absorbed very limitedly from foods of non-animal origin.
When increasing iron through diet, you don't have to worry about getting too much of it. This will not happen, because we have a mechanism that will not allow excessive increases, if, of course, it works correctly.
Video: story about iron and iron deficiency anemia