Iron is the most abundant mineral on Earth and the most abundant trace mineral in your body, according to "Nutrition and You" by Joan Salge Blake. Iron helps your body build red blood cells and is a vital component of hemoglobin, the protein center of your red blood cells. If a blood test shows low amounts of iron, you may be at risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia.
Physiology
When you eat iron-rich foods, your body absorbs the iron and attaches it to transferrin, a protein produced by your liver. According to Lab Tests Online, approximately 70 percent of this iron is used to make the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. The remaining iron is stored in your tissues or used to make proteins and enzymes. Your iron status can be tested using a variety of blood tests.
Types of Iron Tests
A serum iron test measures the level of iron in your blood. A low serum iron test indicates that your iron stores are low but does not necessarily indicate iron-deficiency anemia. Hemoglobin and hematocrit blood tests measure the size of your red blood cells and the quantity of your red blood cells. If either is low, it can indicate that you have anemia caused by a low amount of iron in your blood.
Iron-deficiency Anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia is a common condition that is easily treatable. Iron-deficiency anemia can develop as a result of low dietary intake of iron, blood loss or an inability to proper absorb iron. If you have iron-deficiency anemia, your body does not contain enough red blood cells. As a result, oxygen cannot be properly delivered to your cells. A decrease in oxygen delivery can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, decreased body temperature, pale skin and chest pain. Left untreated, iron-deficiency anemia can put excess strain on your heart, leading to abnormal heart rhythms, heart murmur or heart failure.
Treatment
Initial treatment for iron-deficiency anemia focuses on correcting iron levels in your blood with oral iron supplements. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says that it can take several months to return iron levels to normal because taking too much iron at once can cause adverse health effects. In addition to restoring iron levels, treatment also focuses on correcting the underlying condition causing the iron-deficiency anemia. If the deficiency was caused by an underlying medical condition, seek treatment to cure or manage the condition.
