If left untreated, increased iron levels in your body lead to severe organ damage and are potentially fatal. Iron is an essential nutrient you obtain from your diet. However, elevated iron levels often point to an underlying condition that is interfering with iron metabolism. Your doctor is capable of diagnosing the underlying cause of increased iron levels and determining proper treatment.
The Basics
Most of the iron you ingest is used to produce red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout most of your body. Iron also aids in the production of energy, in the form of ATP, your body's main energy source. Unused, excess iron is stored within your liver, bone marrow, muscles and spleen.
Iron Levels
Testing iron levels within the blood, or serum, helps physicians determine the total iron content within your body. Normal iron levels range from 60 to 170 mcg/dL. Any result greater than 170 mcg/dL requires further medical evaluation. Ask your doctor to explain the results of any iron serum test you undergo.
Causes of Increased Levels
Causes of increased iron within the body include increased destruction of red blood cells, liver disease, vitamin B-12 deficiency and frequent blood transfusions. However, the most common cause of elevated iron levels is hemochromatosis, a disease characterized by an increase in the absorption of iron from your diet. The excess iron reaches organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver, and damages these organs.
Recommended Iron Intake
Daily requirements for iron vary depending on age and gender. Infants less than 1-year-old require 11 mg of iron daily. Children from 1 to 13 need 7 to 10 mg per day. Males ages 14 to 18 need 11 mg or iron per day, while women of the same age need 15 mg each day. Adult males younger than 50 should get 8 mg of iron every day, and females within the same age bracket require 18 mg per day. Older adults require a little less iron and should get 8 mg per day. Proper iron intake improves health and reduces the risk of iron-associated diseases.
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