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...
Anemia is characterized by a low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit in the blood, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). This means the blood doesn't have enough red cells, or the ones it has are not able to carry and...
Hematocrit and hemoglobin, referred to as HCT and HGB, are components of red blood cells. The Mayo Clinic defines hematocrit as the number of red blood cells in a specified amount of blood. The Mayo Clinic defines hemoglobin as a protein molecule...
In medical terminology, anemia literally means "no blood." However in real life, this would mean death. In actual situations, anemia means that you have a reduced amount of red blood cells. This can be diagnosed by looking at your hemoglobin and...
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...
According to the American Cancer Society, following a nutritious diet during and after cancer treatment can make a patient feel better and stay stronger. It can decrease the severity of the side effects of treatment, shorten treatment time and...
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,...
Benicar, generic name olmesartan, is a drug used to lower blood pressure. Benicar, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, blocks the actions of chemicals that narrow blood vessels, which allows the vessels to widen. Widening the blood vessels...
Low testosterone or low T is a condition where a man's body does not produce sufficient amounts of the hormone testosterone. The American Diabetes Association reports that men who have diabetes are twice as likely to have low T compared to men who...
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases describes Crohn's disease as an inflammatory, ongoing and hard-to-diagnose disease of the bowel. Distinguished by its involvement in all layers of the bowel interspersed by...
Common blood tests are diagnostic tools doctors use to ascertain general health or specifically identify certain diseases. The results of each test will vary widely from one individual to the next based on overall health, medications and...
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...
Heparin is a medication given as a subcutaneous injection and available with a doctor's prescription. It belongs to the class of drugs called anticoagulants and is used to treat and prevent blood clots in the deep veins in the body. Heparin may...
Actos is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, a condition of elevated blood glucose levels. Drugs.com states that you must tell your doctor whether you have a history of congestive heart failure (inability of your heart to pump enough...
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...
Actos is a brand name for the prescription medication pioglitazone hydrochloride that is used to treat type 2, or adult-onset, diabetes mellitus. This medication is in a family of diabetes drugs called thiazoligediones that primarily act on the...
The World Health Organization lists iron deficiency as the number one deficiency worldwide, industrialized countries included. Associated symptoms depend on the degree of iron deficiency, and diagnosis ranges from depleted iron stores to...
Blood tests are commonly used to measure various components in the blood that can detect disease or disease risk. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, blood tests can be used to measure blood components such as hemoglobin,...
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...
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...
Zetia (generic name ezetimibe) is a cholesterol-lowering medication available as a 10-milligram tablet. Zetia is used to treat high cholesterol either on its own or with another medication such as a statin. Zetia inhibits absorption of low-density...
Small amounts of caffeine do pass into breast milk. Although moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee are not likely to cause negative side effects while breastfeeding, excessive caffeine intake may cause problems for both you and your baby. Discuss...
The kidneys are involved in everything from filtering blood, regulating electrolyte levels and helping red blood cells mature. High serum potassium levels and anemia are symptoms of just a few things that can go wrong during advanced kidney...
Iron is an essential mineral that your body needs for many processes, including the transport of oxygen in the blood and the production of enzymes as well as the building of proteins and bones. One of the effects of a deficiency of iron is hair...
Iron is one of the most important minerals a woman can get, especially when she is pregnant. Iron prevents anemia, and plays an important role in oxygenating the blood for both mom and baby. Even women who take prenatal vitamins may be at risk for...
As stated in "Mosby's 2010 Nursing Drug Reference," Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) is a low-weight based heparin used to prevent pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in those at risk for blood clots. Hospitals also typically use Lovenox as a...
Adult men have the diagnosis of anemia if their hemoglobin level is below 13.5g/dL, and women are anemic if their level is below 12g/dL, according to Charles Linker, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, in "Current...
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...
Your toddler's blood carries about 70 percent of the iron in her body, according to Dr. Anil Pradhan, a physician at Pediatric Associates of Bradford in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Your child absorbs ingested iron through the small intestines. Both...
