Iron Fe | Laboratory research

Possible interpretation of the results

Increased iron levels:

• Thalassemia;
• Sideroblastic anemia;
• Hemolytic anemia;
• Aplastic anemia;
• Idiopathic hemochromatosis;
• Myelodysplastic syndromes;
• Excessive intake of iron supplements;
• Frequent blood transfusions;
• Use of oral contraceptives;
• Acute iron poisoning;
• Acute liver damage;
• Acute renal failure;

Iron deficiency:

Iron deficiency causes microcytic anemia (reduction in the size of red blood cells) and can be associated with situations such as:

• Insufficient supply of iron (vegetarianism, malnutrition);
• Iron malabsorption (decrease in gastric acidity, gastric resection, malabsorption syndrome, diarrhea, gastrointestinal surgery);
• Chronic iron loss in the gastrointestinal tract (tumors, inflammatory bowel disease);
• Increased demand for iron (pregnancy, lactation);
• Excessive gynecological bleeding;
• Prolonged inflammation in chronic diseases;
• Nephrotic syndrome.

It is important to know that Iron deficiency anemia, Very often, is a secondary process caused by other major diseases. For this reason, it is recommended to differentiate the causes of anemia and search for the source before starting additional therapy.