home Tips Serum iron is elevated in a child. Serum iron. Iron in the blood, the norm, what does the change in indicators indicate? Serum iron in children is normal

Serum iron is elevated in a child. Serum iron. Iron in the blood, the norm, what does the change in indicators indicate? Serum iron in children is normal

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 microelement, 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 microelement 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.

The human body contains a great variety of formations, compounds, substances and trace elements. Among them, iron is one of the most important basic trace elements. The role of this element cannot be overestimated - iron is responsible for transporting oxygen to all tissues, takes part in the process of hematopoiesis and DNA production, in energy and recovery processes. There are established norms for the content of iron in the blood of children, and any deviations - excess or decrease in the norm, can be associated with dangerous violations.

Increased iron in a child may indicate the progression of certain diseases in the body. Exceeding the permissible norm of this microelement occurs in some types of anemia: with hemolytic, aplastic and deficiency anemia (vitamin B12). It is also worth paying attention to other possible pathologies that affect the excess of iron in the blood:

Violation of the limiting mechanism, resulting in excessive absorption of this metal in the gastrointestinal tract.
In case of kidney diseases (nephritis), a violation of the utilization of "old" blood elements is possible.
Acute liver damage.
Poisoning with iron-containing drugs, if the dosage was incorrectly selected or with prolonged use of funds. In this case, the child may have the smell of iron from the mouth.
High levels of iron occur with long-term use of certain drugs, especially hormonal ones.
A genetic pathology that is caused by a hereditary factor is bronze diabetes. At the same time, this microelement is not properly excreted from the body, but iron accumulates in the organs. This leads to serious diseases like diabetes.

What to do?

It is almost impossible to determine the elevated level of this essential trace element without a special laboratory blood test. Since the external manifestations are almost the same as with a low iron content. Patients complain of increased weakness and fatigue, loss of appetite, severe and frequent dizziness, pre-syncope.

You need to know what to do if the child has high iron in the blood. Since the increase in this trace element leads to the fact that the blood becomes viscous, resulting in a violation of blood circulation and the formation of blood clots. To reduce the indicators, you must contact a specialist, and in no case should you take independent actions to reduce the metal level.

Causes of elevated serum iron in a child

Laboratory diagnostics includes a blood test for serum iron, which is necessary to determine various pathological disorders in the human body. For children, certain allowable norms are established, based on age. A pathological condition is considered not only a low level, but also in the case when the child's serum iron is elevated.

This phenomenon is accompanied by some non-specific manifestations that also appear with a low content of serum iron: problems with digestion, low blood pressure, arrhythmia, an increase in the liver is recorded with ultrasound. This makes diagnosis difficult.

A dangerous condition in which elevated serum iron is determined in a child has a medical term - hemochromatosis. The disease can be congenital (hereditary, primary) or acquired (secondary). However, in any case, increased serum iron in the blood of a child is characterized by an excess concentration of this element in the plasma, a violation of metabolic processes and the excretion of the microelement.

A pathological condition in which the serum iron in the blood of a child is elevated appears to be a dangerous phenomenon, which in frequent cases becomes a provocateur of certain diseases, sometimes even oncological diseases. The reasons for this phenomenon can be in many internal diseases:

Cirrhosis of the liver.
Prolonged period of infection.
Inflammatory process in the kidneys.
Frequent blood transfusion.
Acute poisoning with iron-containing agents when the dosage was incorrectly set.

Fortunately, modern methods can successfully get rid of hemochromatosis. Special medications capture particles of "unnecessary" iron and convert them into a soluble state, and then they are excreted from the body naturally. Also, in addition, patients are advised to properly adjust their diet.

Iron is the main trace element that helps red blood cells bind and carry oxygen to various tissues and systems. It can accumulate in various organs (liver, muscles), and when its level decreases, it can be removed from the depot. The supply of iron must be constantly replenished to ensure the smooth functioning of most organs.

With a long-term lack of iron in the body of a child, its reserves gradually end - iron deficiency anemia develops. Its main signs are a decrease in hemoglobin in the general blood test, a decrease in the level of a color indicator, the appearance of atypical erythrocytes with various shapes, sizes and colors.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia

The first symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are general weakness and fatigue.

General weakness comes to the fore among complaints in the development of anemic syndrome in patients. With a long-term iron deficiency, the work of all organs and systems, including the brain, suffers, so children often complain of fatigue, become drowsy and irritable. Flickering of flies before the eyes, loss of consciousness, headache, numbness of the extremities are often noted.

In advanced cases of the disease, shortness of breath appears even with minimal physical exertion, appetite worsens or it is perverted: the use of substances that are not of nutritional value (chalk, earth, metal objects).

When examining a child, one can reveal pallor and dryness of the skin, cracks in the corners of the mouth, smoothness of the papillae of the tongue, striation and defects on the nail plates. A mild degree of iron deficiency is manifested by rapid fatigue, headache, decreased academic performance in schoolchildren and immunity.

normal iron levels

The amount of iron in different periods of a child's life varies depending on gender and age requirements. The average daily dose in children is:

from birth to 1 year - from 4 to 10 mg;
after the age of 1 year and up to 6 years - 10 mg;
from 6 to 10 years - no more than 12 mg;
in boys from 11 to 17 years old - 15 mg, in girls - 18 mg.

In the first year of life, especially up to 2 months, the need for iron increases dramatically in most children. This is due to the complete replacement of fetal erythrocytes with normal ones after birth. And during the period of intensive growth and puberty, the consumption of iron in the child's body increases sharply, especially in girls during the formation of the menstrual cycle.

Best of all, the body of children absorbs iron of valence II in the presence of ascorbic acid. A microelement with this valency is found only in medicines. With products, III-valent iron is delivered, which in the body passes into II-valence.

The diagnosis of "mild anemia" can be made at a hemoglobin level below 100 g / l, with a decrease in the rate of less than 90 g / l - moderate, and below 70 g / l - severe.

Food sources of iron

The main rule for correcting overt or hidden iron deficiency is, and for long-term anemia, pharmaceuticals and multivitamins.
In the diet of a child with iron deficiency anemia, the following products must be present:

There are certain restrictions on the use, which include tannins that reduce the absorption of iron in the digestive tract. If necessary, iron-containing preparations can be washed down with purified water with the addition of lemon juice, which improves the absorption of the trace element.

When iron is taken in the form of a finished product, it is necessary to constantly monitor its level in the blood, since its excess can bring a lot of complications.

Among the symptoms of iron poisoning in the body are the following:

With the simultaneous use of iron in a dose of 900 mg or more, a fatal outcome can occur, so the drugs must be stored away from the baby's eyes.

Medical treatment of anemia

For the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, iron monopreparations or their combination with substances that enhance the absorption of the microelement in the intestine are widely used. There are two types of products on the pharmaceutical market for children - ferrous and trivalent iron.

Prominent representatives of drugs for the treatment of anemia in childhood are: Aktiferrin, Ferrum Lek, Ferumbo, Hemofer, Maltofer. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. The doctor should select the optimal drug for the treatment of a child and set its dosage after a comprehensive examination.

Iron deficiency in a child's body can bring a lot of problems with its development, so parents need to take it seriously. Treatment of iron deficiency should be comprehensive and include not only iron supplements, but also good nutrition, vitamin therapy, and outdoor walks.

Attentive mothers must have noticed that almost all baby cereals and mixtures are enriched with iron. This is done for a reason. The need for iron in children is about five times higher than that of an adult. This microelement makes up the majority of erythrocytes - red blood cells responsible for oxygen saturation of every cell of the body. An iron deficiency in a child can lead to delayed development. And all due to the fact that his body will not receive the necessary amount of oxygen. Knowing the reasons that can provoke a lack of iron in a child, you can avoid many problems in his development.

Norms of iron content in the body of a child

The daily intake of iron in children ranges from 4 to 18 mg, depending on age and gender.

The rate of iron in the blood in children is determined solely with the help of a laboratory test. Therefore, do not neglect preventive examinations by a pediatrician, even if you believe that the child is absolutely healthy.

iron deficiency symptoms

Increased fatigue, weakness, lethargy.
- Pale skin and mucous membranes.
- Increased heart rate.
- Irritability.
- Low appetite.
- Frequent dizziness.

These are common symptoms of iron deficiency in a child - if they are found, you should consult a doctor to take a blood test.

Who is at risk

The most common causes of low iron in a child's blood include:
- prematurity or multiple pregnancy;
- artificial feeding;
- late introduction of complementary foods;
- frequent bowel disorders (constipation or diarrhea);
- frequent illnesses.

What if there is more iron than needed

It is no less dangerous when the iron in the blood of a child is elevated. This can adversely affect the functioning of the heart, liver, pancreas, causing cirrhosis, diabetes, hepatitis, arthritis and other pathologies. An excess of iron in a child's blood can occur due to a hereditary or acquired disease of hemochromatosis, in which this trace element is absorbed in very large quantities. And if in the first case the pathology is genetic, then in the second its appearance is associated with lifestyle. Most often, the cause is the uncontrolled intake of drugs with iron in the composition and the excessive consumption of products containing this trace element. In this case, you must consult a doctor for treatment.

Proper nutrition is the key to micronutrient balance

If you exclude hereditary diseases, then you can maintain the necessary balance of trace elements with the help of proper nutrition. Knowing which foods for children have a lot of iron, it is easy to create a rational menu. It must be remembered that with age, the energy needs of the child increase. To avoid a lack of nutrients, it is important to give children foods rich in iron and other trace elements. For this purpose, complementary foods are introduced. For nutrition to be beneficial, you need to follow the recommendations of the pediatrician. It is also important to keep the following points in mind:

So that the child does not consume "empty" calories. Care must be taken to ensure that each product benefits the development of the baby;
- so that the food is saturated with iron. Choose healthy foods for children that contain iron, from which it is absorbed especially well. It can be spinach, beef, broccoli, lentils, buckwheat;
- so that trace elements are well absorbed. A much larger dose of iron in children will be absorbed along with vitamin C. Prepare a beef patty and broccoli salad and season the dish with lemon juice. In turn, tannin impairs the absorption of iron, so it is better not to give tea or coffee immediately after a meal. Milk has a similar property.

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 (TBC).

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!