Low or high serum iron: what it means (and what to do)

The serum iron test aims to check the concentration of iron in a person’s blood, making it possible to identify whether there is a deficiency or overload of this mineral, which may indicate nutritional deficiencies, anemia or liver problems, for example, depending on the amount of iron in the blood. blood.

Serum iron measurement is done by collecting a small blood sample, and it may be recommended that the collection be done after fasting for 8 hours, in some cases.

Iron is a very important nutrient for the body, as it allows the fixation of oxygen in hemoglobin, transporting it throughout the body, it is part of the red blood cell formation process and helps in the formation of some important enzymes for the body.

When is indicated

The serum iron test is recommended by the doctor with the aim of checking whether the person has iron deficiency or iron overload, and thus, depending on the result, they can conclude the diagnosis. Thus, serum iron measurement may be indicated to investigate anemia, infections, gastrointestinal changes and liver changes, for example.

Normally the serum iron dosage is requested when the doctor finds that the results of other tests are altered, such as the blood count, mainly the amount of hemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin, which is a protein produced by the liver whose function is to transport iron. iron to the marrow, spleen, liver and muscles. Find out more about the transferrin test and how to understand the result.

Reference value

Normal serum iron values ​​are:

• Children: 40 a 120 µg/dL;
• Men: 65 a 175 µg/dL;
• Women: 50 170  µg/dL.

Iron dosage is done through analysis of blood collected in the laboratory and the normal value may vary according to the diagnostic method used.

To assess the amount of iron circulating in the blood, a small blood sample is collected and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

In some cases it may be necessary to fast for at least 8 hours to take the dosage, however it is important to follow the doctor’s and laboratory’s instructions regarding fasting.

It is also important not to take an iron supplement for at least 24 hours after the exam so that the result does not change. Women who use contraceptives must inform the use of the medicine at the time of collection so that it can be considered when carrying out the analysis, since contraceptives can alter iron levels.

Low serum iron

The decrease in the amount of serum iron can be noticed through the appearance of some symptoms, such as excessive tiredness, difficulty concentrating, pale skin, hair loss, lack of appetite, muscle weakness and dizziness, for example. Know how to recognize the symptoms of low iron.

The main causes of low serum iron are:

• Decrease in the amount of iron consumed daily;
• Intense menstrual flow;
• Gastrointestinal bleeding;
• Change in the process of iron absorption by the body;
• Chronic infections;
• Neoplasms;
• Pregnancy.

The main consequence of low serum iron is iron deficiency anemia, which occurs due to the lack of iron in the body, which reduces the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells. This type of anemia can occur both due to a decrease in the amount of iron consumed daily, and also due to gastrointestinal changes that make iron absorption more difficult. Understand what iron deficiency anemia is and how to treat it.

What to do if you have low serum iron

If the doctor finds that there is a decrease in iron in the blood and the results of other tests are also altered, it may be recommended to increase the consumption of foods rich in iron, such as meat and vegetables. Furthermore, depending on the amount of iron and the results of other tests requested, iron supplementation may be necessary, which must be done according to the doctor’s instructions so that there is no overload.

High serum iron

When iron levels are increased in the blood, some symptoms may appear, such as abdominal and joint pain, heart problems, weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness and decreased libido. The increased amount of iron may be due to:

• Food rich in iron;
• Hemochromatosis;
• Hemolytic anemia;
• Iron poisoning;
• Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, for example;
• Successive blood transfusions.

Furthermore, increased serum iron may be a consequence of excessive iron supplementation or increased consumption of supplements or foods rich in vitamin B6 or B12.

What to do if you have seriously high iron

Treatment to reduce the amount of serum iron must vary according to the cause of the increase, and the doctor may recommend changes in diet, phlebotomy or the use of iron chelating medications, which are those that bind to iron and prevent it from mineral accumulates in the body. Find out what to do if you have high serum iron.