Each cell needs oxygen to maintain its vital functions. Its delivery is carried out by special blood cells, inside of which there is a direct carrier - hemoglobin. The structure of this protein is rather complex, one of the key features is the presence of Fe ions in it, without which the protein completely loses its ability and cannot perform the function of gas exchange. Thus, the main role of this macroelement is to participate in providing all organs and tissues with oxygen.
Iron, which is inside red blood cells, is not detected by standard biochemistry. There is also deposited (in the liver, spleen) and extracellular (serum).
Serum - is in plasma and is divided into two fractions - free and protein-bound. The free is very toxic, therefore it is quickly excreted from the bloodstream, either in the direction of utilization, or binds to proteins.
Protein bound is connected with transferin, and it is this that is taken into account in biochemical analysis. Despite the fact that this fraction is relatively small in comparison with others, the level of protein-bound in the best way reflects the metabolism of the macronutrient.
The activity of cellular respiration depends on many factors: body weight, height, age, physical and mental stress, metabolism. Accordingly, the oxygen demand of the body changes and the need for a ferrum. So, in children under 1 year old, the Iron norm is 7.2 - 18.0 μmol / l. In children under 14 years old - from 9.0 to 21.5. In adults, the indicator depends on gender:
Men: 10.7 - 30.4
Women: 9.0 - 23.3
The increase is somewhat less common and is associated with:
Hemolytic anemia (damage to the red blood cell membrane);
Lack of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12;
Genetic pathology of formed elements of red blood and small intestine;
Viral, toxic hepatitis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis;
Overdose of iron-containing drugs.
There is no specific clinic with an increased ferrum content, however, this condition is accompanied by pathologically high hemoglobin against the background of a decrease in the number of red blood cells, a violation of skin pigmentation, pain in the upper abdomen.
The lack of metal in the body is much more common, which indicates:
Insufficient intake of it with food (10-15 mg is needed per day for an average person);
Frequent or chronic infections, especially of the gastrointestinal tract, hepato-biliary system;
Insufficient absorption in the small intestine;
Cirrhosis, severe hepatosis (the liver is unable to produce carrier proteins);
Chronic bleeding (stomach ulcer, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, anal fissure);
Malignant tumors (large, disintegrated, generalized, systemic, metastatic).
Concentration may decrease during pregnancy, although this is more a physiological process than a pathology.
Symptoms of a reduced content are, first of all, an anemia clinic:
Weakness;
Dyspnea;
Palpitations;
Pallor of the skin and mucous membranes;
Increased fatigue.
In addition, a deficiency leads to:
Pathological changes in the immune system, which is manifested by frequent infectious diseases;
Disorders of digestion and absorption of many nutrients, including vitamins;
Deterioration of the health of the skin and mucous membranes (violation of their barrier function);
General retardation of growth and development;
Cognitive disorders.
Fe measurement in biochemical analysis is mandatory if anemia is suspected (symptoms, shifts in other studies). For the diagnosis of other conditions, iron must be determined in combination with additional methods.
