Iron is an essential mineral that plays a key role in the function of many proteins in the human body. The majority of iron in the body is found in the red blood cells where it is essential for oxygen transport. Iron insufficiency in the blood can...
According to a September 2006 article in "The Lancet," childbirth-related hemorrhage -- uncontrolled or abnormal bleeding -- is responsible for about 126,960 of the 529,000 mothers' lives lost globally to pregnancy-related causes every year,...
Some nutritional problems and deficiencies can be diagnosed and monitored through simple procedures like a blood test. Depending on your condition, a blood test alone may be sufficient for a diagnosis, but for other conditions, more tests may be...
A complete blood count, also known as a CBC, is a common blood test. The test measures the number of white cells and the number of red cells in a measure of blood. The test also measures the amount of hemoglobin in the red cells, the ratio of red...
Anemia is a condition where there are low levels of circulating red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Anemia is diagnosed based on the level of hemoglobin in the...
Doctors define anemia as having a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells or as when the red blood cells present can't carry iron or oxygen efficiently throughout the body. Many women experience some anemia during their pregnancies because...
Peripheral neuropathy describes a neurological condition characterized by damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes the network of nerves that transmit information from the brain to the rest of...
Hemoglobin is an important part of your blood that helps deliver iron and oxygen to healthy tissues. It's made up of four protein molecules called globulin chains. Two are alpha globulin, and two are beta globulin chains. The normal hemoglobin...
If you experience unexplained fatigue, weakness or shortness of breath, your doctor may order a series of blood tests including a complete blood count. A complete blood count reveals your number of red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin...
Iron is a mineral essential to your health. It is prevalent in your blood and helps carry oxygen throughout your body to produce and maintain healthy cell development. It is important for everyone to consume iron, whether it is from nutritional...
Hematocrit is a type of blood test that determines how many red blood cells there are in your blood and what size they are. Hematocrit is part of a complete blood count, which also includes hemoglobin, white blood cell count and platelet count....
During pregnancy, you will undergo many different exams and tests to monitor the health of you and your baby. It is important to remain compliant with prenatal care. Your obstetrician will discuss your routine blood tests at your first prenatal...
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...
Ferritin is a protein in your cells that stores and releases iron. Although ferritin plays an important function within your cells, measuring your ferritin levels is a good way to see how much iron your body holds. Low ferritin levels indicate low...
Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents flow backward -- or reflux -- into the esophagus. While your stomach has a thick layer of neutralizing mucous to protect it from the acid it secretes, your esophagus does not. The result? Heartburn. Anyone...
Iron deficiency can cause thinning hair, but other diseases and conditions can instigate hair loss, too. Hormonal changes, thyroid disorders, heredity, diabetes, lupus, inadequate protein, ringworm and certain medications can prompt noticeable...
If you are feeling rundown, having difficulty concentrating and seem to be getting sick more often than usual, you may be iron deficient. Iron is an essential mineral necessary for the transportation of oxygen throughout your body. Iron is also...
Iron deficiency occurs in two stages. During the first stage, your body gradually depletes stored iron. During the second stage, not enough iron is available for the production of red blood cells, so you become anemic. Red blood cells use iron to...
Iron is a vital mineral that functions to transport oxygen in the blood, produce energy and fight infections in your body. Iron is found in the blood as well as stored in several organs, such as the liver. Although most healthy individuals are...
Iron supplements are used to treat iron deficiency, a condition that affects 80 percent of the population in the world, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron deficiency can result in anemia, fatigue, decreased body temperature,...
Cesarean section is the most common surgery performed in the United States; nearly one third of all deliveries are cesarean sections, according to the Center for Disease Control. Bleeding can occur from the uterine or skin incision, from the...
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 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...
A complete blood count, or CBC, includes the white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin and platelet count. A CBC is a common blood test to diagnose and monitor a variety of medical conditions. There are many diseases and...
Doctors recommend iron supplements to treat iron deficiency. Although you can obtain iron supplements without a prescription, do not take them unless you have been directed to do so by your doctor. While iron deficiency anemia usually resolves in...
Testosterone AndroGel is a topical medication prescribed for men who have a deficiency, either naturally occurring or induced, of the male hormone testosterone. The medication is absorbed through the skin, and the dose is adjusted depending on...
Patients with diabetes suffer from elevated blood sugar levels, either as a result of not producing enough insulin or from having the body not properly respond to insulin levels. Since elevated levels of blood glucose can cause a number of...
The risk of developing hypertension, or high blood pressure, rises with age and can contribute to heart attack, kidney disease and stroke. Exercise can make a big difference in lowering blood pressure levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. One main...
Iron is an essential mineral that humans require on a daily basis to help synthesize proteins, enzymes and red blood cells, regulate cell growth, and assist with oxygen transport to tissues in the body. Diurnal changes of iron levels in humans are...
