Guest guest Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Beth ~ I think that ND you were seeing was rude and didnt like to explain things cuz of her intelligence level. There are many things about iron in the body. There are many tests you can have that tell the tell of iron in your body. http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/topic/medtest/hw41550/descrip.htm Test Overview An iron test checks the amount of iron in the blood to see how well iron is metabolized in the body. Iron (Fe) is a mineral needed for hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron is also needed for energy, good muscle and organ function. About 70% of the body's iron is bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells. The rest is bound to other proteins (transferrin in blood or ferritin in bone marrow) or stored in other body tissues. When red blood cells die, their iron is released and carried by transferrin to the bone marrow. In the bone marrow, iron is stored and used as needed to make new red blood cells. The source of all the body's iron is food, such as liver and other meat, eggs, fish, and leafy green vegetables. The body needs more iron at times of growth (such as during adolescence), for pregnancy, during breast-feeding, or at times when there are low levels of iron in the body (such as after bleeding). Healthy adult men get enough iron from the food they eat. Men have enough reserves of iron in their bodies to last for several years, even if they take in no new iron. Men rarely develop an iron deficiency because of their diets. Women, however, can lose large amounts of iron because of menstrual bleeding, during pregnancy, or while breast-feeding. Therefore, women are more likely than men to develop an iron deficiency and may need to take an iron supplement. Iron deficiency in men and in women past menopause is often from abnormal bleeding, often in the gastrointestinal tract, such as from stomach ulcers or colon cancer. The iron test checks the: Amount of iron bound to transferrin in the blood (serum). Amount of iron needed to bind to all of the transferrin. This value is called the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Percentage of transferrin with iron bound to them. This value is called transferrin saturation. A test for iron is done to: Check for iron deficiency anemia. Check for a condition called hemochromatosis. Check nutritional status. Check to see if iron and nutritional treatment is working. Results An iron test checks the amount of iron in the blood to see how well iron is metabolized in the body. Normal Normal results may vary from lab to lab. Serum iron Men: 80–180 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or 14–32 micromoles per liter (µmol/L) (SI units) Women: 60–160 µg/dL or 11–29 µmol/L Children: 50-120 µg/dL Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) Men and women: 250–450 µg/dL or 45–82 µmol/L Transferrin saturation Men: 20%–50% Women: 15%–50% High and low values The values for serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation are used to see whether a low amount of iron in the body is from iron deficiency anemia or another condition. The values are also used to see whether a high amount of iron is due to hemochromatosis or another condition. Other conditions that affect iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation levels include: Hemolytic anemia. This causes a low amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin found in red blood cells. The iron levels are often normal. Thalassemia. This is a blood disorder that runs in families (inherited). It changes how the body makes hemoglobin. The iron levels are often normal, but ferritin levels may be high if the person has had a lot of blood transfusions. Cirrhosis. This is a condition that occurs when inflammation and scarring damage the liver. Lead poisoning. This develops from months or years of exposure to small amounts of lead in the environment. Iron deficiency anemia. This occurs when low iron levels cause a low amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells. The iron levels are low, the transferrin saturation is high, and the ferritin level is low. Rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis inflames the membranes or tissues lining the joints. Overuse of iron supplements. Bleeding. Kidney failure. Severe infection. What To Think About Taking iron supplements for tiredness can mask an iron problem. Talk to your doctor about taking iron supplements. Iron levels change during the day. Iron tests are best done in the morning, when iron levels are highest. The results of an iron test are also checked with results of a complete blood count (CBC), ferritin, and transferrin tests. The ferritin test is often better than an iron test to see whether iron deficiency is present. An iron test and ferritin test are often done at the same time. For more information, see the medical tests Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Ferritin. A test called the siderocyte stain test checks the number of red blood cells that have particles of iron not bound to hemoglobin (siderocytes). Normally, very low numbers of siderocytes are present in blood. High levels of siderocytes in adults may mean a type of anemia, iron overload, lead poisoning, hemochromatosis, or a severe infection are present. When iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed, the source of the anemia must be found and treated. Iron deficiency can be caused by long-term (chronic) blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, not enough iron in the diet, or bleeding inside the intestinal tract (from ulcers, colon polyps, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, or other conditions). In rare cases, too much iron may be lost through the skin (because of a disease such as psoriasis) or in the urine. Iron deficiency anemia can be easily treated with iron supplements, but the key is to identify it and stop the iron loss. Hemochromatosis can be treated with medicines to help the body get rid of extra iron. A procedure called a phlebotomy can also be done to remove iron from the body.Ferritin, which shows your iron stores: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/topic/medtest/hw6212/descrip.htm Test Overview A ferritin blood test checks the amount of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron; most of the iron stored in the body is bound to ferritin. Ferritin is found in the liver , spleen , skeletal muscles, and bone marrow. Only a small amount of ferritin is found in the blood. The amount of ferritin in the blood shows how much iron is stored in your body. A ferritin blood test is done to: Find the cause of anemia, especially iron deficiency anemia. See whether inflammation is present. See whether too much iron (hemochromatosis) is present. Check to see whether iron treatment to raise or lower the iron level is working. Iron Storage (Ferritin) Results A ferritin blood test checks the amount of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron; most of the iron stored in the body is bound to ferritin. The amount of ferritin found in the blood is the same amount that is in the body. Normal Normal values may vary from lab to lab. Ferritin Men: 12–300 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or 12–300 micrograms per liter (mcg/L) Women: 10–150 ng/mL or 10-150 mcg/L Children 6 months to 15 years: 7–142 ng/mL Babies 2 to 5 months: 50–200 ng/mL Babies 1 month: 200–600 ng/mL Newborn babies: 25–200 ng/mL High values Very high ferritin levels (greater than 1,000 ng/mL) can mean a large buildup of iron in the body (hemochromatosis). One form of this condition is passed on in families (genetic hemochromatosis). Some diseases, including alcoholism, thalassemia, and some types of anemia that cause red blood cells to be destroyed, can also cause hemochromatosis. Also, if you have many blood transfusions, this can sometimes cause the body to store too much iron (acquired hemochromatosis). High ferritin levels may also be caused by liver disease (cirrhosis or hepatitis), Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, infection, inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis or lupus), or a diet that is too high in iron. Too much iron in body organs, such as the pancreas or heart, can affect how the organ works. Low values Low ferritin levels often mean an iron deficiency is present. This can be caused by long-term (chronic) blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, not enough iron in the diet, or bleeding inside the intestinal tract (from ulcers, colon polyps, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, or other conditions). In rare cases, too much iron may be lost through the skin (because of a disease such as psoriasis) or in the urine. What Affects the Test Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include: Having a blood transfusion in the past 4 months. Being a female athlete doing sports that change the menstrual cycle. Having conditions that cause inflammation in the body, such as from illness or from a surgery. Having a radioactive scan in the past 3 days. Taking medicines, such as birth control pills and antithyroid medicines. Age. Older adults may have a higher ferritin value. Eating a diet high in red meats. What To Think About A ferritin test is often done with other tests to check the amount of iron in the blood, especially the iron and iron-binding capacity levels. For more information, see the medical test Iron. A bone marrow biopsy can check the amount of iron stored in the bone marrow. For more information, see the medical test Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy. Because inflammation in the body can cause high ferritin levels, a test result that is slightly high does not always mean a buildup of iron (hemochromatosis) is present. gene testing for iron overload, I dont remember the name for it. Anyway, dont worry about it, this doctor is absurd ! I have a high hemaglobin ( 15.8) , and my ferritin was bouncing from 82-288. so they did gene testing to check me for hemachromatosis which is iron overload, and I have one of the genes for it, but not both, so I do NOT have it. Anyway, I hope this helps you............. bottom line, this doc you saw is....." less than "perhaps you should make a report so others dont get deceived by her: http://www.doctorscorecard.com/doctors?sta=TX, you can change it to your state and town....... Please, rest at ease......keep me posted, I am very curious as to the truth behind the mystery ! ! Love Dede Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Beth ~ I think that ND you were seeing was rude and didnt like to explain things cuz of her intelligence level. There are many things about iron in the body. There are many tests you can have that tell the tell of iron in your body. http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/topic/medtest/hw41550/descrip.htm Test Overview An iron test checks the amount of iron in the blood to see how well iron is metabolized in the body. Iron (Fe) is a mineral needed for hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron is also needed for energy, good muscle and organ function. About 70% of the body's iron is bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells. The rest is bound to other proteins (transferrin in blood or ferritin in bone marrow) or stored in other body tissues. When red blood cells die, their iron is released and carried by transferrin to the bone marrow. In the bone marrow, iron is stored and used as needed to make new red blood cells. The source of all the body's iron is food, such as liver and other meat, eggs, fish, and leafy green vegetables. The body needs more iron at times of growth (such as during adolescence), for pregnancy, during breast-feeding, or at times when there are low levels of iron in the body (such as after bleeding). Healthy adult men get enough iron from the food they eat. Men have enough reserves of iron in their bodies to last for several years, even if they take in no new iron. Men rarely develop an iron deficiency because of their diets. Women, however, can lose large amounts of iron because of menstrual bleeding, during pregnancy, or while breast-feeding. Therefore, women are more likely than men to develop an iron deficiency and may need to take an iron supplement. Iron deficiency in men and in women past menopause is often from abnormal bleeding, often in the gastrointestinal tract, such as from stomach ulcers or colon cancer. The iron test checks the: Amount of iron bound to transferrin in the blood (serum). Amount of iron needed to bind to all of the transferrin. This value is called the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Percentage of transferrin with iron bound to them. This value is called transferrin saturation. A test for iron is done to: Check for iron deficiency anemia. Check for a condition called hemochromatosis. Check nutritional status. Check to see if iron and nutritional treatment is working. Results An iron test checks the amount of iron in the blood to see how well iron is metabolized in the body. Normal Normal results may vary from lab to lab. Serum iron Men: 80–180 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or 14–32 micromoles per liter (µmol/L) (SI units) Women: 60–160 µg/dL or 11–29 µmol/L Children: 50-120 µg/dL Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) Men and women: 250–450 µg/dL or 45–82 µmol/L Transferrin saturation Men: 20%–50% Women: 15%–50% High and low values The values for serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation are used to see whether a low amount of iron in the body is from iron deficiency anemia or another condition. The values are also used to see whether a high amount of iron is due to hemochromatosis or another condition. Other conditions that affect iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation levels include: Hemolytic anemia. This causes a low amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin found in red blood cells. The iron levels are often normal. Thalassemia. This is a blood disorder that runs in families (inherited). It changes how the body makes hemoglobin. The iron levels are often normal, but ferritin levels may be high if the person has had a lot of blood transfusions. Cirrhosis. This is a condition that occurs when inflammation and scarring damage the liver. Lead poisoning. This develops from months or years of exposure to small amounts of lead in the environment. Iron deficiency anemia. This occurs when low iron levels cause a low amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells. The iron levels are low, the transferrin saturation is high, and the ferritin level is low. Rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis inflames the membranes or tissues lining the joints. Overuse of iron supplements. Bleeding. Kidney failure. Severe infection. What To Think About Taking iron supplements for tiredness can mask an iron problem. Talk to your doctor about taking iron supplements. Iron levels change during the day. Iron tests are best done in the morning, when iron levels are highest. The results of an iron test are also checked with results of a complete blood count (CBC), ferritin, and transferrin tests. The ferritin test is often better than an iron test to see whether iron deficiency is present. An iron test and ferritin test are often done at the same time. For more information, see the medical tests Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Ferritin. A test called the siderocyte stain test checks the number of red blood cells that have particles of iron not bound to hemoglobin (siderocytes). Normally, very low numbers of siderocytes are present in blood. High levels of siderocytes in adults may mean a type of anemia, iron overload, lead poisoning, hemochromatosis, or a severe infection are present. When iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed, the source of the anemia must be found and treated. Iron deficiency can be caused by long-term (chronic) blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, not enough iron in the diet, or bleeding inside the intestinal tract (from ulcers, colon polyps, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, or other conditions). In rare cases, too much iron may be lost through the skin (because of a disease such as psoriasis) or in the urine. Iron deficiency anemia can be easily treated with iron supplements, but the key is to identify it and stop the iron loss. Hemochromatosis can be treated with medicines to help the body get rid of extra iron. A procedure called a phlebotomy can also be done to remove iron from the body.Ferritin, which shows your iron stores: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/topic/medtest/hw6212/descrip.htm Test Overview A ferritin blood test checks the amount of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron; most of the iron stored in the body is bound to ferritin. Ferritin is found in the liver , spleen , skeletal muscles, and bone marrow. Only a small amount of ferritin is found in the blood. The amount of ferritin in the blood shows how much iron is stored in your body. A ferritin blood test is done to: Find the cause of anemia, especially iron deficiency anemia. See whether inflammation is present. See whether too much iron (hemochromatosis) is present. Check to see whether iron treatment to raise or lower the iron level is working. Iron Storage (Ferritin) Results A ferritin blood test checks the amount of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron; most of the iron stored in the body is bound to ferritin. The amount of ferritin found in the blood is the same amount that is in the body. Normal Normal values may vary from lab to lab. Ferritin Men: 12–300 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or 12–300 micrograms per liter (mcg/L) Women: 10–150 ng/mL or 10-150 mcg/L Children 6 months to 15 years: 7–142 ng/mL Babies 2 to 5 months: 50–200 ng/mL Babies 1 month: 200–600 ng/mL Newborn babies: 25–200 ng/mL High values Very high ferritin levels (greater than 1,000 ng/mL) can mean a large buildup of iron in the body (hemochromatosis). One form of this condition is passed on in families (genetic hemochromatosis). Some diseases, including alcoholism, thalassemia, and some types of anemia that cause red blood cells to be destroyed, can also cause hemochromatosis. Also, if you have many blood transfusions, this can sometimes cause the body to store too much iron (acquired hemochromatosis). High ferritin levels may also be caused by liver disease (cirrhosis or hepatitis), Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, infection, inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis or lupus), or a diet that is too high in iron. Too much iron in body organs, such as the pancreas or heart, can affect how the organ works. Low values Low ferritin levels often mean an iron deficiency is present. This can be caused by long-term (chronic) blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, not enough iron in the diet, or bleeding inside the intestinal tract (from ulcers, colon polyps, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, or other conditions). In rare cases, too much iron may be lost through the skin (because of a disease such as psoriasis) or in the urine. What Affects the Test Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include: Having a blood transfusion in the past 4 months. Being a female athlete doing sports that change the menstrual cycle. Having conditions that cause inflammation in the body, such as from illness or from a surgery. Having a radioactive scan in the past 3 days. Taking medicines, such as birth control pills and antithyroid medicines. Age. Older adults may have a higher ferritin value. Eating a diet high in red meats. What To Think About A ferritin test is often done with other tests to check the amount of iron in the blood, especially the iron and iron-binding capacity levels. For more information, see the medical test Iron. A bone marrow biopsy can check the amount of iron stored in the bone marrow. For more information, see the medical test Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy. Because inflammation in the body can cause high ferritin levels, a test result that is slightly high does not always mean a buildup of iron (hemochromatosis) is present. gene testing for iron overload, I dont remember the name for it. Anyway, dont worry about it, this doctor is absurd ! I have a high hemaglobin ( 15.8) , and my ferritin was bouncing from 82-288. so they did gene testing to check me for hemachromatosis which is iron overload, and I have one of the genes for it, but not both, so I do NOT have it. Anyway, I hope this helps you............. bottom line, this doc you saw is....." less than "perhaps you should make a report so others dont get deceived by her: http://www.doctorscorecard.com/doctors?sta=TX, you can change it to your state and town....... Please, rest at ease......keep me posted, I am very curious as to the truth behind the mystery ! ! Love Dede Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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