Normal Iron Levels Chart by Age
| Test | Normal Ranges | Ranges in SI units |
| Serum Iron for Adult men | 70-175 mcg/dL | 12.5-31.3 mcmol/L |
| Serum Iron for Adult women | 50-150 mcg/dL | 8.9-26.8 mcmol/L |
| Serum Iron for children 6 mo-2 yr | 50-120 mcg/dL | 9.0-21.5 mcmol/L |
| Total iron-binding capacity | 250-460 µg/dL | 45 – 82 µmol/L |
What causes very low iron level in blood?
What causes iron deficiency?
- Not eating enough iron-rich foods. Your body can store iron but it cannot make it. Iron must come from food. ...
- Trouble absorbing iron. Iron in food is absorbed through the stomach and bowel. ...
- Blood loss. If you lose blood through any sort of bleeding, this means you lose iron too. ...
What is the acceptable range for iron levels?
Normal Iron levels are 40-150 ug/dL (female) and 50-160 ug/dL (male). Normal values may vary from laboratory to laboratory. Normal values may vary from laboratory to laboratory. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is a lack of iron in your body, causing primarily a low hemoglobin concentration.
What blood test shows iron levels?
low iron stores and iron deficiency. Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is a blood test to check for levels of iron in the blood. Doctors may give this test along with transferrin tests to check for signs of anemia. If TIBC levels are high, it may indicate low iron in the blood due to iron deficiency anemia.
What is the blood iorn level suppose to be?
The normal range for blood ferritin is: For men, 24 to 336 micrograms per liter; For women, 11 to 307 micrograms per liter; Lower than normal results. This indicates that you have iron deficiency. You might also be anemic. If your ferritin level is low, your doctor will work to determine the cause. Higher than normal results
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What is considered a low iron level?
Iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin ≤ 130 g/L in males and ≤120 g/L in females) is a late manifestation of iron deficiency, both of which are common medical conditions in everyday clinical practice 2, 3, 4.
What is a low iron level for a woman?
The range of normal ferritin in most laboratories is 30 ng/mL to 300 ng/mL, and the mean is 49 ng/mL in women. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey describes iron deficiency in women as a low concentration of ferritin (<12 ng/mL).
What are the 3 stages of iron deficiency?
This occurs in three stages:First stage: Iron stores are depleted. ... Second stage: When iron stores are low, the normal process of making red blood cells is altered. ... Third stage: Iron-deficiency anemia develops because there isn't enough iron to make hemoglobin for red blood cells.
What causes iron levels to drop?
There are many things that can lead to a lack of iron in the body. In men and post-menopausal women, the most common cause is bleeding in the stomach and intestines. This can be caused by a stomach ulcer, stomach cancer, bowel cancer, or by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
What is the iron blood test used for?
The serum iron level (not of the heme group) is used to diagnose and monitor iron deficiency anemia, chronic nephropathy and hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis is a disease where two iron pigments, hemosiderin and hemofucsina, are deposited in the tissues and produces skin pigmentation.
How is iron found in the body?
Iron is found in the body in three ways: 1 As hemoglobin in the red cells of the blood to transport oxygen to the tissues (65-70% of the total amount) 2 Stored as ferritin and hemosiderin in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. (30% of the total amount) 3 Bound to myoglobin (3-5%), a protein used by the muscle cells.
What is the iron test?
Iron blood test measures free serum iron. This test is performed along with ferritin, transferrin or TIBC (Total Iron-Binding capacity) and hemoglobin tests. If iron in the blood is low, it can affect to the hemoglobin formation. Hemoglobin is essential to carry oxygen to the cells. Low iron levels may cause fatigue, muscle weakness or tiredness. ...
Where is hemoglobin stored?
As hemoglobin in the red cells of the blood to transport oxygen to the tissues (65-70% of the total amount) Stored as ferritin and hemosiderin in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. (30% of the total amount) Bound to myoglobin (3-5%), a protein used by the muscle cells.
What organs are affected by high iron levels?
If iron in the blood is high, it may be deposited in different organs (brain, liver, heart and pancreas) causing diseases because iron can be toxic to these organs.
What will your doctor study?
Your doctor will study the results along with your medical record, screenings, physical condition, symptoms and any other relevant information about your situation.
What is serum iron?
Serum iron is a medical laboratory test means how much total iron is in your blood, for best evaluation of body’s content of iron the doctor must request all anemia test including; serum iron, TIBC, Ferritin, transferrin, and transferrin saturation tests. Do you have to fast for an iron blood test?
What is the UIBC test?
UIBC test (unsaturated iron-binding capacity) measures how much iron for saturation of transferrin.
How many sites does transferrin have?
If we assume that transferrin has 200 sites to bind the amount of iron. If the transferrin has 50 iron atoms bound, and 150 of the sites are empty or not attached to any iron atom, this means that: 50% is the ratio of iron bound to transferrin in the blood = serum Iron value.
Why do doctors ask for iron blood test?
Doctors usually request iron blood test after discovering there is anemia in CBC results.
How to tell if you have iron deficiency?
If you’re complaining of one or more of the following, then you should test for iron deficiency: Fatigue and unexplained weakness are common signs you should test iron. Pale skin, a tingling or crawling feeling in the legs, shortness of breath, and dizziness are signs of severe anemia and marked iron shortage.
What does it mean when you have a tingling sensation in your legs?
Pale skin, a tingling or crawling feeling in the legs, shortness of breath, and dizziness are signs of severe anemia and marked iron shortage.
Where is iron stored in the body?
67% of the body’s iron is inside hemoglobin in red blood cells, other iron is bound to transferrin in blood or ferritin in bone marrow, or stored in more body tissues. 3.5% of the total iron in the body is inside Muscles as myoglobin. 27% of all iron inside cells are stored in Ferritin & hemosiderin. Children and women need more of iron ...
What are the normal values of iron in the blood?
Both a deficiency and an excess of iron can lead to imbalances , therefore, it is important to keep the amount of iron in the body under control.
What is the optimal transferrin saturation?
In adults, the optimal situation is when transferrin saturation is between 20 and 50%. In children, transferrin saturation must be over 16%.
What does low TIBC mean?
Low TIBC values associated with high amounts of circulating iron mean that the body is no longer able to keep the iron in balance and the circulating ion can become toxic.
Can reference values vary from one lab to another?
The reference values given below may vary slightly from one laboratory to another, depending on the reference population or method of analysis used. For the reference intervals, it is recommended to consider those specified in the report. Consult your doctor for the correct interpretation of the test results.
What are the two types of iron?
Iron from food is available in two forms: heme iron and nonheme iron. Heme iron is more bioavailable, which means it's easier for your body to absorb, than nonheme iron. Sources of heme iron: meat, poultry and seafood. Sources of nonheme iron: beans, whole grains, lentils, tofu and raisins.
What is the best multivitamin for women?
Snack: Hummus with red and green bell pepper slices. Most multivitamins specific for women contain 18 milligrams of iron and are a good choice if you're struggling to meet your daily needs from food alone. You can also take iron as an individual supplement, but talk to your doctor about the most appropriate dose.
What is the normal iron level?
Normal ferritin levels for women: 20 to 200 micrograms per liter. Iron-deficiency anemia: 10 micrograms per liter or less. You may be diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia if either your blood iron levels are ...
How to tell if you have iron deficiency anemia?
To determine if you have iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may consider various blood tests to look at specific markers, including testing your complete blood count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and ferritin. A complete blood count gives a general assessment of your overall health.
What foods help you absorb iron?
You can improve your absorption of iron from either the heme or nonheme source by combining it with foods rich in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, oranges and bell peppers.
How much hemoglobin is normal for women?
Normal hemoglobin for women: 12 to 15 grams per deciliter. For the record, your hemoglobin may be at anemia levels, but it may not necessarily mean you have iron-deficiency anemia.
How much iron is low for women?
Low iron levels for women: less than 10 micromoles per liter. However, while checking the amount of iron in your blood is a good start, it may not tell the entire story of your iron status. Advertisement.
Why is iron deficiency anemia?
If iron supplements don't increase your blood-iron levels, it's likely the anemia is due to a source of bleeding or an iron-absorption problem that your doctor will need to investigate and treat. Depending on the cause, iron deficiency anemia treatment may involve:
What is the best treatment for peptic ulcers?
Antibiotics and other medications to treat peptic ulcers. Surgery to remove a bleeding polyp, a tumor or a fibroid. If iron deficiency anemia is severe, you may need iron given intravenously or you may need blood transfusions to help replace iron and hemoglobin quickly.
What does it mean when your hemoglobin is lower than normal?
Hemoglobin. Lower than normal hemoglobin levels indicate anemia. The normal hemoglobin range is generally defined as 13.2 to 16.6 grams (g) of hemoglobin per deciliter (dL) of blood for men and 11.6 to 15. g/dL for women. Ferritin.
How long does it take for iron to replenish?
Iron deficiency can't be corrected overnight. You may need to take iron supplements for several months or longer to replenish your iron reserves. Generally, you'll start to feel better after a week or so of treatment. Ask your doctor when to have your blood rechecked to measure your iron levels.
What tests can be done to check for iron deficiency?
If your bloodwork indicates iron deficiency anemia, your doctor may order additional tests to identify an underlying cause, such as: Endoscopy. Doctors often check for bleeding from a hiatal hernia, an ulcer or the stomach with the aid of endoscopy. In this procedure, a thin, lighted tube equipped with a video camera is passed down your throat ...
What percentage of blood volume is normal for anemia?
Hematocrit. This is the percentage of your blood volume made up by red blood cells. Normal levels are generally between 35.5 and 44.9 percent for adult women and 38.3 to 48.6 percent for adult men.
How to schedule an appointment for a doctor?
What you can do. Write down any symptoms you're experiencing , including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes. Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
What does it mean when your TIBC is high?
If your TIBC level is high, it means more transferrin is free because you have low iron. Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC). This test measures how much transferrin isn’t attached to iron. Transferrin saturation. This test measures the percentage of transferrin that is attached to iron.
What is the test that shows how much iron is in your blood?
These tests show how much of the mineral is moving through your blood, how well your blood carries it, and how much iron is stored in your tissues. Serum iron. This test measures the amount of iron in your blood. Serum ferritin. This test measures how much iron is stored in your body.
What is the test for iron?
Serum ferritin. This test measures how much iron is stored in your body. When your iron level is low, your body will pull iron out of “storage” to use. Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). This test tells how much transferrin (a protein) is free to carry iron through your blood.
Why do we need iron?
You need iron to make red blood cells. Iron is also an important part of hemoglobin, a protein in your blood that helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. An iron test can show if you have too much or too little of this mineral in your system.
What are the symptoms of low iron?
Symptoms of low iron include: Tiredness. Dizziness. Weakness. Headaches. Pale skin. Fast heartbeat.
Why is my iron level low?
A low iron level can be caused by: A lack of iron in your diet. Trouble absorbing iron from foods you eat. Blood loss. Pregnancy. Continued. A lack of iron can affect your body's ability to make red blood cells. If your iron level is too low, you could have anemia.
How long before you give blood can you stop eating?
Some tests require you to stop eating about 12 hours before you give blood. Your health care provider will take a sample from a vein in your arm and send it to a lab. The lab results will show whether iron levels in your blood are too high or too low.
Functions of Iron
- According to the University of California San Francisco, approximately 70% of all the iron in your body can be found inside your red blood cells and in myoglobin in your muscle cells. Iron is part of hemoglobin, which is the protein that transports oxygen through your bloodstream and into your tissues. Myoglobin performs a similar function inside t...
What Are Normal Iron Levels?
- A simple blood test can determine whether you have a normal iron level. According to Mount Sinai, your results can vary depending on whether you recently took an iron supplement, or are taking certain medications. Normal value ranges can vary between different laboratories, which is why it’s very important to seek medical assistance to interpret your results.
Sources of Iron
- The amount of iron that you need to consume everyday will depend on different factors, such as age, sex, and diet. Vegans and vegetarians need to consume more iron, since plant-based iron isn’t absorbed as easily by our bodies. You can increase iron absorption by accompanying it with a source of vitamin C, such as citrus fruits. According to the National Institutes of Health, source…
Sources
- Hemoglobin and Functions of Iron- ucsfhealth.org Serum iron test- mountsinai.org Iron and Total Iron-Binding Capacity- urmc.rochester.edu Iron- ods.od.nih.gov