Iron is a mineral vital to the body. Its main role is to carry oxygen in the haemoglobin of the Red Blood Cells or RBCs. This is necessary for cells to produce energy. Iron is also instrumental in removing carbon dioxide from the body.
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Iron deficiency anemia is a very common type of anemia. The most common causes are:
Iron deficiency causes include:
You may feel low, fatigue, some weakness or may experience difficulty maintaining body temperature. Other iron deficiency symptoms can include:
If your body does not contain enough iron and the red blood cells cannot carry oxygen efficiently, it is known as Iron deficiency anemia.
The iron normal range is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL of blood for men and 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL for women. The iron normal range varies for children depending on their gender and age. These reference values may differ from lab to lab.
Prevention:
Once the diagnosis is made, the doctor will suggest you take iron supplements to counteract the diagnosis. Taking the iron supplements should bring your iron levels in blood back to normal.
What is iron test?
An iron profile test is performed to check the level of iron in your blood.
Iron deficiency test
An iron test is referred to as iron deficiency test when you or your doctor suspect that you may be suffering from an iron deficiency.
Iron profile test
An iron profile test is part of the regular routine check-up that lets you know your iron and haemoglobin levels.
Why should you get the Iron blood test done?
To diagnose iron deficiency anemia, iron overload and current level of iron in the blood.
When should you get the Iron blood test done?
If you have low haemoglobin or hematocrit on a complete blood count you may suffer from a iron deficiency or an iron overload. To make an exact diagnosis, your doctor will recommend you get the iron profile test.
What sample is required for the Iron blood test?
A sample of your blood is required from your vein.
How to prepare for the test?
You may be required to fast for 12 hours and/or your blood may be drawn in the morning.