Do you sometimes feel unusually tired for no reason? Or do you feel dizzy after standing up after a long day? Sometimes we think these are normal things, but this could be a sign of low iron levels in our body. Iron is an essential mineral for our body. So today we will talk about what iron is, why it is important for us, and the blood tests that can be done to find out about it.
Why is iron so important for our bodies?
Simply put, iron is something that our bodies get from the foods we eat, such as red meat, legumes, and fortified cereals . This iron is an essential factor in making red blood cells in our bodies.
Imagine that there is a delivery service that carries oxygen throughout our bodies. The vehicles of that delivery service are red blood cells. These red blood cells contain a special protein called hemoglobin . This hemoglobin is what takes oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to every other cell and tissue in the body. So, this hemoglobin cannot be made without iron. If iron is lacking, hemoglobin production decreases, which means that the oxygen supply to our body is impaired. That is the main reason why we feel tired and dizzy .
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?
Your doctor may ask you to take an iron test, especially if you have symptoms of iron deficiency or iron overload. Let's take a look at what these symptoms are.
| Symptoms of low iron levels (Low Iron / Anemia) | Symptoms of high iron levels (High Iron / Iron Overload) |
|---|---|
| - Constant feeling of extreme tiredness and fatigue. | - Joint pain. |
| - Dizziness. | - Constantly feeling tired. |
| - Weakness. | - Lack of physical strength. |
| - Frequent headaches. | - Stomach pain. |
| - Pale skin, especially on the palms, soles of the feet, and under the eyes. | - Decreased sexual desire. |
| - Fast heartbeat. | - Skin discoloration. |
The most important thing is that if you have these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor and seek advice, rather than trying to self-medicate.
Types of Iron Tests
Even though it's called an iron test, it's not really one test. It's a combination of several tests. It looks at how much iron is in your blood, how that iron is transported throughout your body, and how much iron is stored in your body. Let's take a simple look at this test.
| Test Name | What does this simply mean? |
|---|---|
| Serum Iron | This directly measures the amount of iron in your blood at that moment. |
| Serum Ferritin | This is the body's 'iron store.' Your body stores extra iron as ferritin. When there is not enough iron in the blood, the body uses this store to take iron. |
| Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC) | Iron doesn't travel alone in the blood. There's a protein called transferrin that carries it. Think of it like a taxi. This test measures how many free (empty) taxis there are to carry iron. A high TIBC means that there are many empty taxis on the road because there are fewer passengers carrying iron. That means you're low on iron. |
| Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity (UIBC) | This is similar to TIBC. It measures the amount of transferrin (empty transferrin) that is not bound to iron. |
| Transferrin Saturation | This is a percentage of how many taxis (transfers) carrying iron are already full of passengers (iron). This percentage is lower for someone with low iron. |
How is this test done? What do the results say?
You will usually be asked to fast (not eat or drink) for about 12 hours before having this iron test, as food can affect your blood iron levels. Then, a blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm and sent to the lab.
Causes of low iron levels
If your report says your iron levels are low, there could be several reasons:
- Lack of iron in the diet: This is especially important for those who eat only vegetarian foods.
- Difficulty absorbing iron from food: Some people may not be able to absorb iron properly due to intestinal diseases.
- Bleeding : Heavy bleeding during menstruation in women can be caused by stomach ulcers or other internal bleeding.
- Pregnancy : During this time, both the mother and the growing baby need iron, so the mother's iron levels may decrease.
If iron levels become too low, we call that condition anemia . This means that there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body's tissues.
Causes of increased iron levels
Iron deficiency is just as much of a problem as excess iron. It can be caused by:
- Iron supplements: This is what can happen if you take iron supplements as you please without consulting a doctor.
- Hemochromatosis: This is a genetic condition. This is when the body is unable to remove excess iron. As a result, the iron can build up in organs like the liver and heart, damaging them.
- Receiving frequent blood transfusions: People who receive frequent blood transfusions due to certain medical conditions may also have elevated iron levels.
However, no matter what the results of your test report are, your doctor will explain exactly what it means and what to do next. So be sure to get the report and meet with your doctor to talk about it.
Take-Home Message
- Don't dismiss things like frequent fatigue, paleness, and dizziness as simple as that. They could be a sign of iron deficiency.
- Iron is essential for making red blood cells and hemoglobin, which carry oxygen to our bodies.
- An iron blood test can give you a clear picture of your body's iron levels, how much is stored, and how iron is transported.
- Do not interpret the results of the test report and go for treatment yourself. Be sure to see your doctor, discuss it, and get proper advice.
- Iron deficiency is a health problem, as is iron overload. Therefore, maintaining a balance is very important.
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