About Iron
Iron is a vital mineral essential for the formation of hemoglobin within red blood cells and myoglobin in muscles, both of which are crucial for transporting oxygen throughout the body. It is also involved in various enzymatic reactions and is necessary for growth, development, normal cellular functioning, and synthesis of certain hormones.
Reference Values
Optimal Range
80.0 - 130.0 µg/dL
Elite Value
Not specified
Health Implications
High
Elevated levels may indicate hemochromatosis, a condition leading to excess iron storage that can damage organs like the liver and heart.
Low
Low levels may be associated with anemia or iron deficiency, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and impaired cognitive function.
Symptoms
High
Symptoms of high iron levels (hemochromatosis) may include joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, liver dysfunction, skin discoloration, and decreased libido.
Low
Symptoms of low iron levels (iron deficiency) can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and brittle nails.
Lifestyle Factors
Specimen Type
Testing Methods
Also Known As
Scientific Sources
- Camaschella, C. (2015). Iron-deficiency anemia. *New England Journal of Medicine*, 372(19), 1832-1843.|Cappellini, M. D., Musallam, K. M., & Taher, A. T. (2020). Iron deficiency anaemia revisited. *Journal of Internal Medicine*, 287(2), 153-170.|World Health Organization. (2020). *Guideline: Daily iron supplementation in adult women and adolescent girls*.|Ganz, T., & Nemeth, E. (2016). Iron homeostasis in host defence and inflammation. *Nature Reviews Immunology*, 16(6), 375-386.|McLean, E., Cogswell, M., Egli, I., Wojdyla, D., & de Benoist, B. (2009). Worldwide prevalence of anaemia, WHO Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System, 1993–2005. *Public Health Nutrition*, 12(4), 444-454.