The reasons why iron is raised in the blood

Macro and microelements are necessary for the human body, they participate in all processes of its life. Today we will talk about iron. Without this element involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, the formation of hemoglobin and erythrocytes, it will be impossible to supply tissues and organs with oxygen. Deficiency of iron contributes to the development of very serious diseases. But today I want to consider the other side of this question: what will happen if there is an excess of iron? Let's find out what this can lead to and what causes elevated levels of iron in the blood.

The content and role of iron in human blood

Our body does not produce iron, it comes with food. The absorption process takes place in the liver, and then the element with the help of transferrin protein enters the blood. Iron is the most important component in the synthesis of hemoglobin - a protein from which erythrocytes are composed. And, as everyone knows, it is the erythrocytes that carry out the supply of all organs with oxygen. Without oxygen, the cells die quickly.

Another important function of iron is its participation in the synthesis of myoglobin protein. This protein is contained in the muscle tissue, helping it to contract, and also, together with other elements, participates in metabolic processes. For normal functioning of the thyroid gland, iron is also needed. Without iron, the process of cholesterol metabolism is impossible. Another important function of this element is the strengthening of the body's immune defense.

The content of iron in the body of men and women

To provide them with an organism, a person should eat 25 mg of iron daily with food. The iron content in men and women in the blood is not the same, it is due to genetic characteristics. The norms of iron in the blood are as follows:

• For men - 40-150 mcg / dl.
• For women - 50-160 mcg / dl.

Iron in blood is increased - what does this mean?

The maximum value of this mineral in the blood of a healthy person is 5 g. A significant excess of this rate can lead to unpleasant, and sometimes disastrous, consequences for the organism.

It should be noted that iron is the strongest oxidant. It comes into contact with free radicals. And this leads to rapid aging of the whole organism and its cells. The process of oxidation of iron with oxygen leads to the formation of free radicals, which contribute to the onset of cancer. What are the causes of increased iron in the blood in women? For example, according to statistics, in women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, iron levels far exceeded the norm.

In the body of men, iron accumulates much faster, provoking the development of various heart diseases, several times increasing the risk of infarction at a young age. After the onset of menopause, when women lose their monthly blood loss, they also increase the process of iron accumulation, which means that the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases increases.

Excretion of iron from the body

It should be noted that iron, unlike most other macronutrients, is not naturally excreted from the body. Thus, all iron not used by the body in the process of vital activity and not deduced from it (i.e., not more than 1 mg per day) begins to accumulate in it. Reduction of its number can occur with any blood loss or fasting, when due to lack of external supply of necessary substances, the body has to use its own reserves for its functioning.

The causes and significance of elevated iron levels

As you have already understood, an elevated iron content in the blood can lead to unpleasant consequences. If, however, your tests have shown similar results, you should identify the cause of the increase and try to reduce the level. Let's try to understand the reasons that can lead to an increase in the blood content of this element. As practice has shown, uncontrolled reception of multivitamins and preparations containing iron leads to similar results. But there are also diseases that can also lead to similar results.

Diseases that lead to an excess of iron

Such diseases include:

• Primary hemahromatosis is a hereditary disease, accompanied by a violation of metabolic processes of the organism with the participation of iron. Iron is actively absorbed in the intestine, huge amounts of its reserves are created, and its elimination is completely stopped by natural means. Gemochromatosis is a severe disease, accompanied by severe forms of heart failure, diabetes mellitus, edema and joint diseases, cirrhosis of the liver, etc.

• Hemolytic anemia. In this disease, erythrocytes in the blood are rapidly destroyed, the hemoglobin contained in them gets into the blood plasma. Bone marrow and spleen in a strengthened mode produce new batches of red blood cells, which are also destroyed, which ultimately can deplete the reserve forces of the organism and lead to its death.
• Hepatitis (acute or chronic), with these diseases in the blood contains bilirubin in large quantities.
• Thalassemia is a serious genetic disease characterized by the synthesis of tetrameric hemoglobin instead of dimer.
• Nephritis is a pathology of the kidneys, in which the output from the body of the products of its vital activity is disturbed, including iron.
• Poisoning by lead compounds, accompanied by active destruction of erythrocytes.
• Aplastic anemia.
• Hypoanemia.
• Hyperchromic anemia. Its causes are insufficient intake of folic acid and B vitamins. Without their intake, the hemoglobin synthesis process is impossible, this leads to the formation of an excess of unbound iron in the body.

From the above, we can conclude that an increase in iron in the blood can be a symptom of a fairly severe pathology.

Symptoms of increasing the level of iron in the human body

In addition to the general symptoms of malaise, diseases accompanied by an increase in iron in the blood are characterized by specific symptoms:

• Delay in puberty in adolescents.
• Fatigue, weakness, drowsiness.
• Bradycardia (in the adult it is 60-70 beats per minute).
• Liver enlarged and painful on palpation.
• Pigmentation on the skin.
• Pain in the joints.
• Active weight loss without increasing physical activity and diets.
• Weakening and hair loss.
• Increased blood sugar.

If you find yourself in such symptoms, you should immediately consult a specialist and take a blood test for elevated iron. The day before the test, alcohol, fried and fatty foods should be excluded from the diet. You can not use medicines. If medications containing iron are taken , the test should be performed not earlier than one and a half weeks after the end of treatment.

What to do if the level of iron is raised?

While waiting for the results of the analysis, revise your diet, limit products containing iron. Consult with other specialists to rule out liver and heart disease. It is necessary to check the hormonal background, as some hormones can also lead to an increase in iron in the blood. It is necessary to give up alcohol, especially if there is a history of cirrhosis of the liver.

Interaction with toxic substances should be discontinued even when they are related to professional activities.

For cooking, do not use iron utensils. It is necessary to test the water from the local water supply system for iron content and, at its increased content, limit the use of this water. If the level of iron continues to increase, it may be associated with pulmonary infections, lupus. Control tests are given at least once a month. Adherence to these measures will help you maintain your health. The main reasons for the increase in iron in the blood we have considered.

Treatment

The normalization of the level of iron in the blood should start with your diet. It is necessary to know that calcium contributes to a deterioration in the absorption of iron. It should be excluded from the diet products containing iron, as well as B vitamins and vitamin C.

At an intoxication by iron as a result of taking iron-containing preparations more than 30 mg / kg, the stomach and intestines are washed. Also, medical bleeding is prescribed, when once a month a patient is given half a liter of blood.

Repeat the course of treatment should be four months later.

To avoid the development of anemia, a patient with a preventive purpose is prescribed "Deferoxamine" - 20-30 mg / kg per day. Synthetic hormone, not possessing hormonal activity, was also synthesized, but it promotes the rapid excretion of iron from the body. If the disease is accompanied by one of the types of anemia, a separate treatment with pyridoxine in combination with ascorbic acid is prescribed.

Thus, from this article, we learned what can lead to an increase in iron in the blood.