The serum iron test aims to check the concentration of iron in the person's blood, being possible to identify if there is deficiency or overload of this mineral, which can indicate nutritional deficiencies, anemia or liver problems, for example, depending on the amount of iron in the blood. blood.
Iron is a very important nutrient for the body, as it allows the fixation of oxygen in hemoglobin, with transport throughout the body, it is part of the process of formation of red blood cells and helps in the formation of some important enzymes for the body.
What is it for
The examination of serum iron is indicated by the general practitioner in order to check whether the person has iron deficiency or overload, and thus, depending on the result, can complete the diagnosis. Normally the measurement of serum iron is requested when the doctor verifies that the result of other tests is altered, such as the blood count, mainly the amount of hemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin, which is a protein produced by the liver that has the function of transporting the blood. iron for the marrow, spleen, liver and muscles. Learn more about the transferrin test and how to understand the result.
The iron dosage is done by analyzing the blood collected in the laboratory and the normal value may vary according to the diagnostic method used, being normally:
- Children: 40 to 120 µg / dL Men: 65 to 175 µg / dL Women: 50 170 µg / dL
It is recommended to fast for at least 8 hours and collect it in the morning, as it is the time when iron levels are highest. In addition, it is important not to take iron supplementation for at least 24 hours of the test so that the result is not changed. Women who use contraceptives must inform the use of the medication at the time of collection so that it is considered when performing the analysis, since contraceptives can alter iron levels.
Low serum iron
The decrease in the amount of serum iron can be noticed through the appearance of some symptoms, such as excessive tiredness, difficulty concentrating, pale skin, hair loss, lack of appetite, muscle weakness and dizziness, for example. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of low iron.
Low serum iron may be indicative or a consequence of some situations, such as:
- Decreased amount of iron consumed daily; Intense menstrual flow; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Alteration in the process of iron absorption by the body; Chronic infections; Neoplasms; Pregnancy.
The main consequence of low serum iron is iron deficiency anemia, which occurs due to a decrease in the lack of iron in the body, which decreases the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells. This type of anemia can happen either due to the decrease in the amount of iron consumed daily, but also due to gastrointestinal changes that make iron absorption more difficult. Understand what iron deficiency anemia is and how to treat it.
What to do
If the doctor finds that there is a decrease in iron in the blood and the result of other tests is also altered, an increase in the consumption of iron-rich foods, such as meat and vegetables, may be recommended. In addition, depending on the amount of iron and the result of the other tests ordered, iron supplementation may be necessary, which should be done according to the doctor's guidance so that there is no overload.
High serum iron
When iron levels are increased in the blood, some symptoms may appear, such as abdominal and joint pain, heart problems, weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness and decreased libido. The increase in the amount of iron may be due to:
- Iron rich food; Hemochromatosis; Hemolytic anemia; Iron poisoning; Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, for example; Successive blood transfusions.
In addition, the increase in serum iron may be a consequence of excessive iron supplementation or increased consumption of supplements or foods rich in vitamin B6 or B12.
What to do
The treatment to decrease the amount of serum iron will vary according to the cause of the increase, and may be indicated by the doctor, change in diet, phlebotomy or use of iron chelating drugs, which are those that bind to iron and do not let this mineral is being accumulated in the organism. Know what to do in case of high serum iron.
