Iron 2 6 in the blood what to do. Iron: the norm in the blood, why is it low or high. Causes of low serum iron levels in a woman's body

In the human body, iron is an important trace element 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 him that the blood has a red, and not any other color.

Affects the increase in the level of iron nutrition. Together with the products, the trace element 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 lowered, the body begins to use the reserve.

Types of iron in the body

Iron in the body can be classified according to the function it performs and where it is found:

• The functions of cellular iron are to carry oxygen;
• The functions of extracellular serum, which include Fe-binding whey proteins - transferrin and lactoferrin - as well as free plasma iron, is responsible for the amount of hemoglobin;
• The reserve fund - or reserves - hemosiderin and ferritin, protein compounds that accumulate in the liver and spleen, are responsible for the 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 an analysis of hemoglobin - in this case you have to prick your finger - determine the state of the whole organism.

These indicators change in acute inflammatory processes, regardless of their etiology. They are also necessary to identify errors in nutrition, to establish the degree of intoxication. Violation of metabolic processes in the body, excess or decrease in the amount of useful substances necessary for normal life - an indicator of these conditions are indicators of iron and hemoglobin.

The amount of Fe depends on the age of a person, his physiological structure, gender. This important indicator is measured in µmol/l.

In infants, the norm is from 7.16 to 17.90 µmol / l. In young children and in adolescents up to 13-14 years old, 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.

In women, iron losses are much greater than in men - after each menstruation, they have to be replenished. About 18 mg of this microelement should be supplied to the body per day. Children also need to replenish the level of this substance - it is spent with increased growth.

Indicators during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the rate of essential iron that comes with food should increase by 1.5 times, otherwise there is a risk of pathologies associated with the development of the fetus.

The body must absorb at least 30 mg of this substance per day. The lower limit of the norm of iron in the blood during pregnancy is at least 13 µmol / l.

Iron is distributed as follows:

• 400 mg - for the development of the fetus;
• 50-75 mg - an enlarged uterus, whose vessels must be intensively supplied with oxygen;
• 100 mg goes to the placenta, permeated through with blood vessels, through which the life of the unborn baby is fully supported.

In addition, the acceleration of metabolic processes and the load on the vessels also require an increase in the amount of Fe. It is necessary to lay 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.

Be sure to control the rate of serum iron in the blood of pregnant women.

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 the gestational age - in the II trimester it is the lowest. At this time, there is an active formation of the internal organs and glands of the fetus.

Also, the value varies during the day, so it is very important that the blood sampling is done at the same time. The highest level of iron is in the morning, when the body is rested and metabolic processes are slower.

Deficiency and excess of a microelement necessary for life

If the rate of iron is reduced, iron deficiency anemia occurs, which is popularly called anemia. With anemia, the body's activity is disrupted, which in childhood threatens to stun growth and mental development.

Regardless of age, anemia causes the following dangerous conditions:

• shortness of breath occurs;
• tachycardia appears, not dependent on 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, loses its tone;
• nails and teeth are destroyed.

An increased content of iron in the blood also causes adverse changes and indicates 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 an excess amount of hemoglobin circulates in the blood plasma. At the same time, the spleen and liver actively replenish the reserve from the reserves until they are completely depleted, and then a fatal outcome may occur.
• Violation 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 the old ones are not removed on time.
• Nephritis is a disease of the kidneys.
• Toxic conditions caused by lead poisoning or the abuse of iron-containing drugs.
• Hepatitis of various etiologies provokes an increased release of bilirubin into the blood, due to which hemolytic jaundice develops.
• Thalassemia is a hereditary pathology.

The lack of B vitamins - directly B6, B9 and B12 - disrupts the function of assimilation of iron entering the blood.

All these conditions require specific treatment, and sometimes constant medication.

Fighting anemia

Blood diseases in which the level of iron in the blood is increased are specific conditions. More often you have to deal with circumstances in which the level of iron in the blood needs to be increased, and preferably in a short time.

In our body there are a considerable number of varieties of formations, substances and compounds, one of the most important elements is iron. It, in turn, also has its subspecies: transport, deposited and functional. Most of the iron is found in the blood, as part of respiratory pigments: hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes, and some iron-containing pigments. The role of iron in the body should not be underestimated. This element is responsible for many functions, such as transporting oxygen to cells, organs and tissues, DNA production, hematopoiesis, cholesterol metabolism, and many other metabolic, energy and redox processes.

In medicine, there is the concept of "serum iron". This indicator is necessary to assess all metabolic processes in the body associated with iron. The patient is offered to donate blood for serum iron if the concentration of this important element in the blood is critically low.

Today we will tell you what serum iron is in the blood, what is its role in the body, and for what reason there are deviations in iron metabolic processes.

Serum iron, what is it?

In the body of each person contains about 4-7 g of iron, which comes mainly with food. However, this figure means the total amount of the element, but in its pure form, of course, it is very difficult to find. Usually, iron is part of any porphyritic and enzymatic compounds (including hemoglobin, almost 80% of the total reserve falls on it).

Iron in the blood serum is found, as a rule, in combination with the protein-transferrin that binds and transports it.

In laboratory diagnostics, such a study as a “blood test for serum iron” is provided, and it is necessary to identify various pathological conditions in humans, which entailed a sharp loss of the element. Most often, the analysis is used to determine the degree of iron deficiency anemia in a person.

The norm of serum iron in the blood

When assessing the concentration of iron in the blood, one should take into account the fact that the indicator is nutritionally dependent on many factors, for example, taking any medications or dietary supplements, being on a special diet, etc. In addition, the level of iron can be subject to changes in during the day: in the morning its concentration is higher than in the evening. The indicator can also vary among people of different age categories and gender.

The rate of serum iron in the blood of women is less than for the representatives of the stronger half and is approximately 10.7-21.5 µmol / l.

Serum iron is normal in men, it is considered to be in the range from 14.0 to 30.4 µmol / l.

Such differences in standard values ​​are due, to a greater extent, to periodic menstrual bleeding, which affects only women.

Also, it should be noted that the normal serum iron during pregnancy, especially in the second half, can be significantly reduced, this is due to the formation of internal organs and the circulatory system in the fetus, as well as changes in the mother's body. In general, the indicator during the period of bearing a baby should not be lower than 10.0 μmol / l, otherwise the pregnant woman is diagnosed with anemia and a set of measures is prescribed to improve the condition. An analysis for serum iron during pregnancy is given three times (at the first visit, at 18 and at 30 weeks), and with a low rate, a woman will have to donate blood for research a little more often to see the dynamics of improvement or deterioration.

For children, their own allowable limits for the indicator are set, based on age. Serum iron normal in children:

• Newborns up to 1 year old - 7.15-17.9 µmol / l;
• Children from one to 14 years old - 8.9-21.5 µmol / l;
• Boys over 14 years old - 11.6 - 30.4 µmol / l;
• Girls after 14 years - 8.9-30.4 µmol / l.

The result of the analysis depends not only on the sex and age of a particular patient, but also on his weight, height, general health, lifestyle, the presence of chronic diseases, and other factors.

In addition, each patient must first be explained how to properly test for serum iron, so as not to get a false result. The main important rules and recommendations before donating blood for research:

• Blood should be taken on an empty stomach (preferably in the morning), it is desirable that the last meal was at least 12 hours ago;
• If the patient uses tablets for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, then they must be canceled a week before the upcoming analysis;
• The analysis should be postponed if you underwent a blood transfusion the day before;
• The serum iron norm in women rises on the eve of the onset of menstrual bleeding, and during menstruation it decreases quite a lot, so this fact should be told to the doctor, who will help you choose the most optimal period for the study;
• Also, it should be noted that it can be found that serum iron is lowered in case of chronic sleep deprivation and severe stress suffered the day before.

If all the rules have been followed, and there can be no error, but the analysis still shows deviations, then you should understand the causes of this condition.

Serum iron below normal

Despite the fact that the concentration of this metal in the blood is very unstable, the assessment of the indicator is extremely important for diagnosing a pathology such as anemia (anemia), as well as for monitoring the correctness of the prescribed treatment. Anemia may not manifest itself for a long time, and a person accidentally learns about this state of his blood by chance, after a periodic biochemical analysis. In other cases, a decrease in iron in the blood to critical values ​​can be fatal. You can suspect the development of anemia by some signs, for example:

• Constant feeling of weakness;
• Drowsiness;
• Frequent headaches and dizziness;
• The appearance of cracks and seizures around the mouth;
• Violation of taste and olfactory senses;
• Excessive dryness and brittleness of hair and nail plates;
• Paleness of lips, skin and mucous membranes.

So, the most common reason why a person has a low level of serum iron is the development of anemia associated with iron deficiency.

Since the body does not produce iron on its own, the main cause of iron deficiency is an unbalanced (or vegetarian) diet. Most of all iron is absorbed in the body from meat and fish (almost 30%), from plant products, no more than 6%.

But other pathological and physiological factors can also affect iron levels. Serum iron is lowered causes:

• Great loss of blood;
• Inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract (chronic bowel disease, gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice, neoplasms in the intestine or stomach, bleeding ulcers);
• The presence of chronic inflammatory, purulent-septic and other infectious diseases (eg tuberculosis, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, bacterial endocarditis, etc.);
• The total iron-binding capacity of blood serum is impaired in diseases that affect the formation of transferrin and other iron-binding proteins. Such diseases include hepatitis, incl. viral.
• Pregnancy (especially II or III trimester).

It should be noted that sometimes, according to the results of the analysis, low serum iron is detected with normal hemoglobin, and even overestimated. Hemoglobin is not always an indicator of sufficient iron content in the blood, therefore, to determine the “reserves” of iron in the body, experts analyze the serum iron index, or total serum iron-binding capacity (TOI).

Upgraded

A pathological condition in which elevated serum iron in the blood is fixed is called hemochromatosis. The disease can be primary (congenital or hereditary) or secondary (acquired), but in both cases it is characterized by an excessive content of iron in the blood plasma, the deposition of "excess" metal in the tissues, and a violation of the processes of metabolism and excretion of iron.

The state when serum iron is elevated to critical values ​​is a very dangerous pathology that can provoke the development of serious diseases up to oncological formations in the intestine or liver.

If serum iron in the blood is elevated, the causes may lie in various internal pathologies, for example:

• Cirrhosis of the liver;
• Prolonged course of severe infectious diseases;
• Inflammatory processes in the kidneys (eg glomerulonephritis);
• Frequent blood transfusions;
• Acute hepatitis;
• Iron poisoning.

Today, hemochromatosis is successfully treated with the help of medications, which are able to capture particles of “excess” iron, convert them into a soluble state, and successfully excrete them in the urine. Also, patients with a similar diagnosis are advised to adjust their diet so that all the elements come in the quantities necessary for the body.

Serum iron analysis is the only type of study that shows the concentration of iron in the blood and the level of exchange of this element in the body.

Periodically check your blood counts and monitor your health!

For the normal functioning of all organs, the body requires regular saturation of cells with many nutrients.

Fats, carbohydrates and proteins are needed, and in addition micro and macro elements. One of the most important among them is iron. 20 g of this substance should enter the human body every day with food.

The role of serum iron in the body of a woman

The microelement is present in the blood in a complex with other compounds, and not in a free form.

About 80% of all iron contains hemoglobin, it is part of red blood cells. These blood particles are designed to carry oxygen to tissues as well as internal organs.

Up to 25% of the microelement is contained in the reserve in the form of protein compounds in the spleen, bone marrow, and liver.

And a small piece of iron only 3-4 mg, found in blood serum in conjunction with the transport protein transferrin, which delivers this important element to tissues.

The degree of saturation of the body with iron shows the analysis, called in medicine the "norm of serum iron."

The norm of this trace element for women plays an important role in the functioning of such processes as:

• oxygen transport and tissue respiration;
• ensuring normal processes of hematopoiesis;
• formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin;
• participation in the full absorption of vitamin B;
• regulation of immunity;
• neutralization of harmful substances in the liver;
• maintaining a healthy state of hair, skin, nail plates.

The result of the study shows the concentration of iron in the blood, allows you to evaluate the metabolic processes in which this trace element takes part.

The norm of serum iron for womenranges from 8.95 to 30.43 µmol/l. This is slightly lower than the male figure, which is due to monthly physiological blood loss during menstruation.

If the analysis showed that the level of iron is below the minimum limit of the norm, then the body feels a lack of this element.

The norm of serum iron for pregnant women

Doctors pay special attention to the serum iron index in pregnant women. In the second and third trimester, the metal concentration in the blood often decreases.

This physiological process is associated with a large consumption of iron for the intensive formation of the internal organs and glands of the fetus, its circulatory system.

The amount of trace element supplied with food should increase to 30 mg per day.

During pregnancy, serum iron plays an important role in the development of the unborn child and the health of the woman. The norm for women in position is the same as for everyone else, that is, 8.95-30.43 µmol / l.

If the indicator is lower, the doctor concludes that the body is deficient in this trace element. In this case, metal replenishment is required for the correct process of hematopoiesis.

The level of serum iron in pregnant women in pathological cases may deviate upward.

With a high concentration of the trace element in the serum, the blood becomes thicker, oxygen is worse transferred to the internal organs of the child and woman.

Be careful! With elevated iron levels, yellowing of the skin and an enlarged liver are observed. A pregnant woman loses weight, there are disturbances in the work of the heart, cramps occur in the calf muscles of a woman.

Erythrocytes are compacted, this threatens with oxygen starvation. At a critical level of serum iron, doctors suspect dangerous failures.

Signs of a lack of serum iron in a woman's body

Often a woman at the initial stage of iron deficiency does not notice any significant changes in the body.

Carefully observing her condition, she will notice the following symptoms:

• dizziness and headaches;
• irritability;
• depressive states;
• cold fingers and toes;
• fatigue, lethargy, apathy;
• memory impairment;
• poor appetite, craving for unusual food and smells;
• muscle pain;
• insomnia;
• fragility of nails;
• fading and thinning hair;
• cracks and jams in the corners of the lips.

Note! If there are signs that indicate that the serum iron in a woman is below normal, you need to contact the doctor to donate blood for a general analysis.

Causes of Serum Iron Deficiency in Women

If, as a result of a biochemical analysis, a lack of iron in the blood serum is detected, the doctor examines the patient, interviews him, prescribes additional tests if necessary.

In order to prevent the development of irreversible processes, it is important to make a correct diagnosis in a short time.

The most common causes of low serum iron in women are:

Serious pathologies also lead to a deficiency of serum iron:

• diseases of the hematopoietic organs: bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen;
• chronic kidney and liver diseases;
• endocrine diseases;
• pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract;
• metabolic disease;
• benign and malignant tumors.

Be careful! Identified dangerous pathologies require immediate treatment.

Preparation for a blood test for serum iron

In the case of a low hemoglobin content, the doctor prescribes a serum iron test for the patient.

According to doctors, serum iron is the most accurate indicator of the amount of metal in the body.

The result of the analysis is influenced by:

• Times of Day- the maximum concentration of iron is found in the morning, during the day it decreases, and in the evening it reaches a minimum;
• Oral contraceptives, estrogens and alcoholic beverages- raise the level of iron;
• Cycle phase- before menstruation, the concentration of the microelement increases, and during them and immediately after it decreases;
• Taking iron supplements- can significantly increase its concentration in the blood;
• For stress and chronic sleep deprivation the level of iron is reduced;
• Some groups of antibiotics, metformin and aspirin - reduce it;
• Vitamin B12- leads to an increase in the indicator.

You should come to the laboratory in the morning, without eating 12 hours before the study. You are allowed to drink water. Blood is taken from a vein.

How to increase the content of serum iron in the body

To normalize the content of serum iron, the doctor prescribes iron preparations to the woman, eating foods with a large amount of the missing trace element.

In addition, it will be useful to use traditional medicine recipes.

Therapy with iron supplements

After a blood test, the doctor, if necessary, prescribes iron-containing preparations.

Pharmacies sell a large number of tablets, syrups, capsules, but only a doctor can choose the right drug and dosage.

It must be borne in mind that for a stable result, iron-containing preparations should be taken for at least 2 months. If oral preparations do not show the desired level of serum iron, the doctor prescribes injections.

Products and nutrition rules

From the human body, iron is lost as a result of desquamation of the cells of the upper layer of the skin, and is excreted with sweat and feces. Eating a balanced diet, a person receives 15 mg of iron daily. About 1 mg is absorbed from this volume by the intestine.

Reduced metal content can be corrected by introducing products into the diet:

• beef, lamb, chicken, turkey;
• beef and pork liver, beef tongue;
• river and sea fish;
• legumes and soybeans;
• buckwheat, oat and millet groats;
• black bread;
• parsley and dill;
• blueberry;
• dried apricots, prunes;
• apples, persimmon, pomegranate, plum;
• nuts.

Heme iron is better absorbed, which is found in products exclusively of animal origin.

Thus, the trace element will be better absorbed. After eating a meal rich in iron, it is useful to drink a glass of apple or orange juice.

Important to remember! The calcium in dairy products interferes with the absorption of iron. It should be divided by the time of intake of foods saturated with iron and calcium, the minimum interval should be equal to 2 hours.

Folk recipes to increase serum iron

With low serum iron adherents of traditional medicine advise women to use recipes from natural products:

• Mix 200 ml each of lemon, carrot and beetroot juice, add 200 ml glass of cognac and honey. Stir with a wooden spatula. Drink 15 ml (1 tablespoon) 3 times a day. Remove the container with a drink for storage in the refrigerator;
• Dried dill - 1 tbsp. spoon and the same amount of dried parsley pour 1 liter of boiling water. Leave for an hour. Take at any time several times a day;
• Pour into a thermos with 500 ml of boiling water 1 tablespoon of rose hips and the same amount of mountain ash. Can be drunk after 2 hours by adding sugar/honey;
• Scroll in a meat grinder in equal parts: raisins, prunes, walnuts, dried apricots. Squeeze a small lemon and 1 part honey. You need to take 2 tbsp. spoons with tea daily;
• Fresh or dry clover inflorescences pour 150 ml of boiling water, leave for half an hour. Strain the cooled drink. Take 50 ml before breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Note! The use of infusions and drinks is acceptable as an adjunct to drug therapy, but it will not replace iron supplements.

Serum iron is an important trace element that ensures the normal functioning of all internal organs for a woman.

For expectant mothers, it is especially important to control and maintain the level of metal in the blood. A change in the content indicates a pathology.

The doctor conducts an additional examination to clarify the diagnosis and prescribes medication.

From this video you will learn what serum iron is, what is its norm for women and men:

This video will introduce you to important and useful information about the need for iron in the body:

A person in different periods of life needs a certain amount of vitamins, minerals and organic substances.

One of the most important elements that affects the vital processes in the body is iron (Fe).

Men and women, children and the elderly need it to varying degrees.

The norm of iron in the blood for women, for example, differs from the norm for men. And in children under 12 months, the actual level of Fe is significantly lower than normal.

Iron enters the human body with food. The incoming substance is distributed unevenly: most of it is included in hemoglobin, the other part is concentrated in the blood serum and cells.

During the day, the level of iron in the blood changes constantly. It depends on many factors, including the field of human activity, its activity during the day, the quality of sleep and rest.

The role of iron can hardly be overestimated, since many processes in the body occur with its participation:

• Fe is an integral element of the composition of the blood, as well as many enzymes;
• respiratory, immune reactions occur in the presence of iron;
• is part of the substances that regulate hematopoiesis, and also produce DNA;
• iron directly affects the thyroid gland, as well as the level of its hormones;
• with its help, oxygen molecules are transported to different cells and tissues;
• is an immunomodulator;
• has a huge impact on the growth and development of the child's body;
• maintaining iron at the required level helps to improve the condition of nails, skin and hair.

A change in the level of iron in the direction of increasing or decreasing leads to irreversible processes.

Normal levels of iron in the blood

The norm of serum iron in the blood is its amount, which ensures the full operation of all systems and processes in the body.

This indicator depends on gender, age, individual health indicators, weight of a person, lifestyle and others. The normal level is:

In adults of both sexes, the difference in standards is observed due to the fact that women lose a significant amount of blood every month.

The instability of iron indicators in women is explained by different phases of the cycle.

An increased iron content is observed during the period when the corpus luteum is formed. The lowest level is reached at the end of menstruation.

Age also has a significant effect on iron levels, which must be taken into account when analyzing serum iron in the blood.

Determination of the level of serum iron in the blood

Every year, the level of iron in a woman's body decreases. To accurately determine the amount of the microelement, a laboratory biochemical blood test is performed.

A general blood test shows the content of certain substances in it:

• Sahara;
• bilirubin;
• alkaline phosphatase;
• cholesterol;
• albumin;
• chlorine;
• creatinine;
• gland;
• other elements.

A blood test for serum iron is prescribed for those who have deviations from the standards in the general analysis.

Often this procedure is carried out to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment of anemia and other diseases.

The doctor may prescribe this analysis if hemachromatosis or poisoning with drugs that contain iron is suspected.

There are rules for taking blood for this analysis:

1. Blood is taken early in the morning on an empty stomach, it is advisable to stop eating 12 hours before the procedure;
2. For seven days, you should stop taking iron-containing drugs so that the analysis is as accurate as possible;
3. Taking oral contraceptives increases iron levels in the analysis;
4. Menstruation, sleep disturbance reduce the level of iron in the analysis.

The results of the analysis are deciphered only by the doctor, who will take into account all the factors affecting the performance.

Causes of low serum iron levels in a woman's body

Serum iron below normal occurs in a woman's body in cases where:

• there is an active growth in adolescence, which sharply reduces the reserves that have accumulated in the bone marrow and liver;
• a lot of blood is lost during menstruation;
• the amount of female hormones increases, contributing to a drop in the level of iron in the blood;
• pregnancy occurs and after lactation;
• inflammation occurs in the gastrointestinal tract;
• in the body there are gastric ulcers, especially flowing with bleeding.

At excessively low rates, attention is paid to the lack of oxygen in the woman's body, which is accompanied by constant weakness and loss of strength.

It is very important to constantly monitor the iron content in the blood of women, as the norm is often violated for various reasons.

Symptoms of low iron levels in the body

Before prescribing tests to determine iron in the body, the doctor asks the patient about his well-being.

There are a number of symptoms that indicate low iron levels:

• violation of the integrity of the nail plate;
• fragility and thinning of hair;
• pallor of the skin and mucous membranes;
• bluish tint of lips;
• frequent stomatitis and colds;
• decreased muscle tone;
• predisposition to depression;
• lack of appetite;
• causeless fatigue;
• stool disorders;
• urinary incontinence in childhood and coughing in adults.

All these symptoms can provoke a significant decrease in immunity in women, and this increases the likelihood of infectious diseases and other pathologies of tissues and organs.

Consequences of low iron levels in the body

Low levels of iron in the blood in women lead to pathological changes in various tissues and organs:

• the occurrence of anemia;
• depletion of tissues and organs;
• weakened immunity and increased morbidity;
• excessive fatigue and depression of the state;
• change in the intellectual development of children in the direction of deterioration;
• inability to concentrate;
• the occurrence of skin diseases, most often neurodermatitis;
• weakening of the cardiovascular activity.

At first, you should consult a doctor. Timely treatment helps prevent serious disorders in the body.

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia consists in taking special iron-containing preparations and in a properly organized diet. All this contributes to a better absorption of iron that has entered the body.

The doctor prescribes certain doses of vitamins C, B, according to the individual characteristics of the body.

And also complements the treatment with Ferroplex and Fenyuls. These medicines saturate the body with iron in the amount of 50 mg per dose.

Causes of elevated iron levels in a woman's body

In a healthy body, the balance between soluble and insoluble iron is always kept at a certain level.

Soluble iron is a temporary reserve, and insoluble iron binds the metal in tissues into hemosiderin, a pigment that transports oxygen to the cells of the body.

The level of iron is maintained by its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, when the trace element is deposited on the intestinal mucosa, and, if necessary, passes into the liver and bone marrow.

Excess iron is systematically excreted from the body with the cells of the intestinal mucosa, living for about three days.

There are diseases in the process of development of which this mechanism is disturbed, and serum iron is increased, that is, all the iron received is absorbed in the intestine.

This condition is called pigmentary cirrhosis, in this case hemoglobin increases above 135 g / l.

Symptoms and treatment of high iron levels in the body

Among the symptoms of elevated iron levels, the most striking are:

• decrease in the number of red blood cells;
• regular pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity;
• skin tone becomes red.

Treatment consists in the appointment of drugs that normalize the excretion of iron from the blood.

The norm of iron in the blood of a pregnant woman

The body of the expectant mother requires 50% more iron than in the normal physiological state.

The norm of serum iron during pregnancy is in the range of 13-30 micromoles per liter, and hemoglobin is not lower than 110 grams per liter.

In a situation where the indicators are below the specified norm, they talk about anemia in pregnant women.

In the second half of pregnancy, a woman needs iron twice as much, since the baby's circulatory system is actively forming, and the placenta is also actively developing.

The daily intake of iron for the expectant mother is 18 - 27 mg per day in the second half of pregnancy.

At the same time, the mother's nutrition should be balanced in terms of the level of trace elements and vitamins.

With a consistently low level of iron in a pregnant woman, the doctor prescribes medications to change the condition.

Self-medication in this case not only does not help, but can also harm.

Therefore, research, diagnosis and treatment should be carried out only by a competent doctor.

By contacting a specialist in time, you can avoid serious consequences of pathological changes in the female body.

If the analysis showed that serum iron is low, the cause must be found out quickly and all efforts should be directed to increase the level of iron in the blood. The fact is that the low content of this trace element leads to weakened immunity, permanent illnesses, reduces muscle tone, and causes problems with digestion. In children, iron deficiency is the cause of delayed growth and development.

In addition, iron deficiency can indicate very dangerous diseases, such as cancer. In this case, treatment with the use of 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 raise the level of iron in the blood is simple: you need to adjust the diet. The use of drugs in this case is usually not required (unless the doctor may prescribe the use of vitamin-mineral complexes).

It is believed that in the human body the total amount of iron ranges from two to seven grams, depending on the sex, weight and age of the person. In its pure form, this substance is not in the body: it is very toxic, so when the microelement enters the bloodstream, most of it is bound by proteins. The rest 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 is deficient in a trace element, it extracts them from there.

The body itself does not produce iron: this trace element comes from food, is absorbed in the intestines (which is why a low amount of a trace element is often associated with problems in the intestinal tract). Iron is then released into plasma, the liquid part of the blood.

Then about eighty percent of the microelement is part of hemoglobin, which is an integral part of the erythrocyte. Here, iron is responsible for attaching oxygen and carbon dioxide to hemoglobin. This microelement attaches oxygen to itself in the lungs. Then, as part of hemoglobin, which is inside the red blood cells, it goes to the cells, transfers oxygen to them, and attaches carbon dioxide to itself. After that, the erythrocyte goes to the lungs, where iron atoms easily part with carbon dioxide.

Interestingly, iron acquires the ability to attach and detach gases only when it is part of hemoglobin. Other compounds that include this trace element do not have this capability.

About ten percent of iron is part of myoglobin, which is found in the 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.

Also, iron is part of other substances, and together with them is involved in hematopoiesis, the production of DNA, connective tissue. Takes part in lipid metabolism, oxidative reactions, regulates the neutralization of poisons by the liver, 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 noticed that the lack of iron in the body negatively affects the work of the nervous system. And all because this element is involved in the transmission of signals between brain cells. Also, this microelement increases the body's resistance to disease, relieves fatigue. Therefore, with its lack, a person often feels powerless.

How much should be a trace element?

In the male body, the reserves of this trace element are higher than in women, and range from 500 to 1.5 thousand mg. In women, this figure ranges from 300 to 1 thousand mg. At the same time, doctors argue 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, there may be a lack of it, and doctors prescribe vitamin and mineral preparations for the purpose of prevention.

To find out if 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 during the study of blood composition.

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 after 14 years, 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, the concentration of iron depends on menstruation. In the second half of the cycle, the indicators of this trace element reach the highest values, after menstruation, its level decreases greatly, which is associated with blood loss during menstruation.

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

But at the same time, the body's need for this trace element 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, but also the baby needs this microelement. Therefore, at a certain stage of its development, it begins to take it very quickly in large quantities.

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

iron deficiency symptoms

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

You should also know that the concentration of iron in the blood depends on many reasons: on the work of the intestines, on the amount of trace element 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 as part of nails and hair.

That is why, if the body lacks iron, there are disorders in the work of many organs and systems. Therefore, a trace element deficiency makes you aware of the following symptoms:

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

Having found such symptoms, it is imperative to pass an analysis to determine the level of iron in the blood. If the study shows its deficiency, the cause must be clarified as quickly as possible (especially when it comes to pregnancy or a growing child's body).

Don’t be scared 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 prevents the absorption of the microelement), as well as in those who are fond of fatty foods. Also in the body there is little iron during a hunger strike. After correcting the diet, taking vitamin and mineral preparations, its concentration returns to normal.

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

Sometimes iron deficiency can provoke stressful situations, a shattered nervous system. In this case, you need to put it in order, avoid stress.

Pathological causes

Iron deficiency can lead to various diseases. Among them:

• Iron deficiency anemia, provoked by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which interfere with the normal absorption of the trace element in the intestine. It can 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 that affects the 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 rapidly in the urine due to nephrotic syndrome.
• Bleeding of various nature.
• Increased hematopoiesis, in which iron is used.
• 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 provoked by various reasons, having discovered a lack of a trace element, the doctor will send you for additional examination. It must be completed as quickly as possible, because among the diseases that cause iron deficiency in the blood, there are deadly diseases. And only then, according to the results of the analysis, will he prescribe treatment, prescribe the necessary drugs.

The Importance of Diet

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

Buckwheat, oatmeal, beans, nuts, oysters contribute to an increase in iron in the blood. The diet should contain fresh vegetables and fruits, which contain not only iron, but also vitamin C, which contributes to the absorption of this trace element.

It is important to understand that diet alone is not enough to increase iron in the blood if the problem is caused by an illness.. Even if the food contains the right 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 an increased amount.

Therefore, it is very important to follow all the instructions of the doctor, take the drugs prescribed by him, including the dosage. It is impossible to increase or decrease the dose of drugs on your own in any case.