Iron
What is iron and how do you determine its level in the blood?
Iron is an important biomarker for human and animal health. It is an essential trace element involved in many vital processes in the body, such as oxygen transport, DNA synthesis and immune defence. Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, fatigue, susceptibility to infection and other problems. Excess iron can contribute to organ damage, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Therefore, it is important to check the iron level in the blood regularly and adjust it if necessary.
Determining the level of iron in the blood is relatively easy and can be done with a simple blood test. This measures the level of haemoglobin, the iron-containing protein in the red blood cells. The normal haemoglobin level is between 12 and 16 g/dl in women and between 13 and 18 g/dl in men. Deviations from these values can indicate an iron deficiency or surplus. In addition, the ferritin level can also be measured, which reflects the iron stores in the body. The normal ferritin level is between 15 and 150 ng/ml in women and between 30 and 300 ng/ml in men.
Iron is therefore a simple and meaningful biomarker of health. A balanced diet with iron-rich foods such as meat, fish, legumes, nuts and green leafy vegetables can help optimise iron levels in the blood. However, in case of iron deficiency or excess, a doctor should always be consulted to clarify the cause and start an appropriate therapy.
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