Iron is a vital mineral required by the body to perform a variety of tasks, including red blood cell formation, haemoglobin production, transporting oxygen throughout the body, working on energy production, and doing DNA synthesis. Iron blood tests determine if your body has the necessary quantity of iron to maintain these tasks. Too little or too much iron in the body can cause an imbalance and some health issues. This article discusses more about iron imbalance, the signs and symptoms of this, and what tests should be considered to keep track of iron levels in the body.
Tests Done to Check for Iron
There are some blood tests you can get done to test for iron levels in the blood. These tests have been listed below for your reference:
1. Ferritin test
The ferritin test is an important iron test that can identify and track the total amount of ferritin in your body. Ferritin is a protein present in cells that is released into the bloodstream whenever our body uses iron. A ferritin test cost can vary depending on your city and if you’ve added other tests with it.
2. Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
This test is usually paired with and conducted alongside other blood tests. TIBC test helps determine the body’s ability to move iron in the blood. It aids in determining iron deficiency and iron overload.
3. Serum iron
This iron test is specifically used to track the total amount of iron that is present in the blood. A serum iron test is one of the most common types of tests that your doctor may suggest if you exhibit signs of low iron levels.
4. Serum transferrin
Transferrin is another protein present in our body, specifically in our blood, that carries iron. This test is meant to track the amount of transferrin in the body.
5. Transferrin saturation test
This is another important iron test you can get done. It tracks the amount of transferrin present in your blood and is bound by iron. The test is usually paired up with the ferritin test, TIBC, and serum transferrin.
Risk Factors for Low Iron
Certain groups of people are more likely to suffer from an iron deficiency or overload. These groups have been listed below for your reference:
- Anyone who can be considered underweight
- Females who usually have heavy-bleeding menstrual cycles
- Pregnant women are more vulnerable to iron imbalance
- People who have conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, have had gastrointestinal procedures done, or in general, have trouble absorbing food and its nutrients
Causes of Iron Imbalance in the Body
Tests like transferrin, TIBC, and the ferritin test are usually prescribed by doctors if they suspect that you do not have an adequate amount of iron in your body. This can be caused by several factors, some of which have been listed below for your reference:
1. Blood loss
Blood loss of any kind, may it be from an injury or due to a heavy menstrual cycle, can cause the level of iron in the body to drop. Blood, specifically red blood cells, contain iron in them, and any kind of blood loss means loss of iron as well. Certain conditions, like peptic ulcers, hiatal hernias, colon polyps, or colorectal cancer, can all cause slow blood loss in the body as well.
2. Poor dietary practices
Iron is consumed through foods and supplements. If your diet does not consist of iron-rich foods, you may likely have low levels of iron in your body. It is essential to maintain a healthy and balanced diet that fulfils all of the body’s needs. Leafy vegetables and eggs are some of the most common and best examples of iron-rich foods.
Why You Should Get an Iron Test: Signs and Symptoms?
There are several signs and symptoms that your body shows that may indicate that you have low levels of iron in your blood. Listed below are certain things you can look out for that may indicate that you need to get your iron levels checked:
- Feelings of extreme tiredness and fatigue
- Pale skin
- Constant weakness and feelings of dizziness
- Feeling short of breath constantly (dyspnea)
- Rapid heartbeats (tachycardia)
Other than these, inflammation and soreness in your tongue, having cold hands and feet, and even developing cravings for ice, dirt, or starch can, although rare, be signs of iron deficiency.
Conclusion
Iron plays a crucial role in keeping our bodies functioning. There are certain signs that our body presents that can be a warning sign of low iron levels. If a doctor suspects an iron imbalance in the body, they can prescribe tests like the TIBC, ferritin test, transferrin test, etc. These tests can help keep track of iron levels and can help physicians come up with an effective treatment plan.