Iron is a mineral the body needs to function properly. It is found in red blood cells and carries oxygen to every cell of the body, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you do not have enough iron, this can lead to fatigue and...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, iron is a mineral that your body needs for many cellular functions. Lack of sufficient iron is known as anemia, and iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional...
Iron helps everyone stay healthy and builds blood cells. It is an important mineral that comes from the foods you eat. Iron is found in every cell of the body. It carries oxygen to your blood. Iron in important in the diet to help prevent iron...
Iron is an essential metal the body needs to transport oxygen through the blood. When the concentrations of iron drop, you can become anemic. Exercising increases the amount of oxygen your body needs and being iron deficient can interfere with...
Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells. Deficiencies can lead to fatigue, weakness, pale skin and irritability. If you have low iron levels, your doctor might recommend increasing the iron in...
Excess blood iron levels result from an inherited condition termed hereditary, or primary, hemochromatosis. Some people develop secondary, non-genetically linked, hemochromatosis related to frequent blood transfusions, alcoholism or certain...
Iron, classified as an essential mineral, is vital to sustaining life, but can also be toxic at high levels. Your body naturally regulates the amount of iron in your blood, allowing you to absorb more iron when needed and less when not needed....
A serum iron blood test identifies high iron levels within the blood circulation. Although it is not a routinely ordered blood test, the serum iron test is ordered when a physician suspects iron overload. Although iron plays an important role in...
Hemochromatosis is a disorder that causes the body to store too much iron. High levels of iron in the blood can cause damage to the pancreas, liver and heart. Most of the time, hemochromatosis is hereditary. But the disorder can be caused by...
Numerous conditions can cause low iron levels in a low blood count and weight loss. According to Dr. Dicken Weatherby, a naturopathic physician and author of the textbook "Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis," total serum iron--the total amount of...
Iron is a trace mineral, a nutrient your body needs in little quantity. The substance is essential for the formation of red blood cells, responsible for supplying all areas of your body with oxygen. Too much iron in the bloodstream causes a...
Because of a higher blood volume when you are pregnant, you need more iron to ensure the healthy growth of your fetus and avoid iron deficiency anemia that can cause preterm delivery and low birth weight. Infants need iron to grow and develop...
A physician might order a serum iron test to detect levels of iron in the bloodstream. This test is commonly performed for people who show symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia.
Essential nutrients are important for everyone, but especially for older adults. A healthy and nutritious diet in your later years can reduce your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. The essential...
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is not enough iron in your red blood cells. This is a common problem that can result from pregnancy, blood loss (including heavy menstruation), a low iron diet, or poor absorption of iron by your body. If...
Working out can be physically taxing, depending on your physical condition and the intensity of the workouts you perform. A person who performs strenuous exercises, pushing beyond physical capacity, may experience fatigue from overexertion....
Donating one pint of blood takes about an hour and can save the lives of up to three people. Blood components--red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitates--are used to treat a variety of conditions, including cancer, sickle cell...
Iron is an essential nutrient in the body, and one with important responsibilities. Its most noted role is in the production of hemoglobin, which helps form clots when blood vessels burst. Individuals who suffer from a low level of iron in the...
There are many reasons why your child may be anemic, and sometimes it's hard to see the signs. However, there are some specific symptoms you can keep an eye out for, and further tests that can be used to properly diagnose anemia. Often the...
If you have low blood iron levels you may be at risk for developing iron deficiency anemia, which can inhibit your body's ability to make hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen. Symptoms of anemia can include dizziness, fatigue and even...
Iron is an essential mineral that your body requires for the proper functioning of protein and enzymes. Specifically, iron is an integral part of heme, the oxygen-carrying pigment of your red blood cells. Iron deficiency can be caused by...
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...
Approximately two-thirds of the total iron in our bodies can be found in the oxygen-carrying protein of red blood cells known as hemoglobin, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Failure to consume enough...
Your body needs vitamins and minerals for optimal health, as these nutrients help carry out metabolic processes essential to life. However, your body functions within a precise equilibrium, so more isn't always better when it comes to...
Most gyms offer postpartum exercise programs; however, is important for new moms to approach post-pregnancy exercise gradually. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, several factors dictate when it is safe to...
During the course of your pregnancy, you will have several blood tests. One such test measures the level of iron in your blood. When you are pregnant, you may have a higher risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia can cause dizziness,...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States, with approximately 3.2 million people infected. Hepatitis can have serious complications, such as...
Iron is one of the essential minerals and it is used by your body for a variety of important functions. Therefore it is important to have iron in your diet and in your blood. There are several blood tests that are used to detect the amount of iron...
Iron is an important mineral for human health, although excessively high iron levels can cause serious health problems. Your doctor can determine whether your blood levels of iron are too high by conducting a blood test, such as a serum iron test,...