Iron

Iron deficiency is common and generally affects more women and children than men. Iron is a mineral that the body takes up through food, which is needed to form hemoglobin. At low levels of iron, it becomes more difficult to produce hemoglobin (HB), which captures and transports oxygen in the body. Symptoms of iron deficiency are characterized by fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, headaches or that you become short of breath.

By testing your iron values, you get a black for any iron deficiency that could be a reason why you experience fatigue. The iron test can also be seen as an opportunity to optimize your iron intake in order to get even more energy.

Interpretation of P-Iron test results

P-Iron measures the amount of iron in the blood at the time of sampling. Since the value can vary during the day, it should be analyzed together with ferritin and transferrin for an even more comprehensive picture of your iron status.

Low P-Iron – what does it mean?

Low levels of P-Iron can be due to iron deficiency, but also to inflammation, infection or chronic diseases. A low P-Iron together with low ferritin usually indicates an actual iron deficiency, while normal or high ferritin can indicate an underlying inflammation.

Sampling and impact

P-Iron has a strong diurnal variation and should be taken in the morning before 10 a.m. 10. Iron supplements should be avoided the day before the test, and intravenous iron therapy can affect the values ​​for up to six weeks.

Reference range P-Iron

For adults, the reference range for P-Iron is between 9–34 µmol/L.

Do you need to address low iron levels?

If low P-Iron is due to iron deficiency, an iron-rich diet or supplement may be appropriate. Good sources are red meat, organ meats, legumes and dark green vegetables. Vitamin C increases absorption, while coffee and calcium can reduce it.

When should you seek further investigation?

In the case of low values ​​and symptoms such as fatigue, pallor and palpitations, further investigation may be necessary. Heavy menstruation, gastrointestinal problems or other illnesses can affect iron levels and should be investigated if necessary.