Blood Chemistry 101 from a Functional Medicine Perspective
- Introduction to Blood Test Analysis
- Understanding Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Insight into Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Studying Vitamin D
- Inflammation Markers - CRP
- Decoding Thyroid Markers
- Iron Markers
- Lipid Panel Assessment
- Micronutrient Markers: Folate, Vitamin B12
- Micronutrient Markers: Zinc, Copper, Magnesium
- Other Key Blood Chemistry Markers
- Implementing Lifestyle Recommendations for Improved Markers
- Pulling It All Together – Your Personal Health Assessment
Iron Markers
Understanding Iron and Its Markers
Chemical element with symbol Fe and atomic number 26.
Iron is a crucial mineral that plays a vital role in various bodily functions. It is an essential component of hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Iron is also necessary for growth, development, normal cellular functioning, and synthesis of some hormones and connective tissue.
The Importance of Iron
Iron is involved in many critical physiological processes. Its primary function is to carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron is a key part of hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to the tissues. Iron is also a component of myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles.
Moreover, iron contributes to the immune system's proper functioning, as it plays a role in the growth and differentiation of immune cells. It is also involved in energy production and DNA synthesis.
Types of Iron Markers
There are several markers used to measure iron levels in the body. These include:
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Serum Iron: This test measures the amount of iron in your blood. The level of iron in your blood may be normal even if total body iron is low.
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Ferritin: This protein helps store iron in your body, and the amount of ferritin in your blood indicates your iron storage levels. Low ferritin levels can indicate iron deficiency, while high levels may point to iron overload or inflammation.
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Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC): This test measures the blood's capacity to bind iron with transferrin, the main protein that transports iron in the blood. TIBC is usually high in iron deficiency and low in iron overload.
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Transferrin Saturation: This percentage is a calculation of the serum iron divided by the TIBC. It gives an estimate of how much transferrin is carrying iron. Low transferrin saturation may indicate iron deficiency, while high transferrin saturation may suggest iron overload.
Assessing Iron Status
Understanding these markers and their levels is crucial in assessing iron status. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, characterized by fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. On the other hand, iron overload can result in damage to organs like the heart and liver.
In the next unit, we will delve deeper into understanding the laboratory reference ranges for these iron markers and what it means if your iron levels are high or low.