Total Iron

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Iron is an essential trace element that performs many important functions in the body, including acting as a carrier of oxygen and helping to create red blood cells. Iron is one of the most abundant metals on Earth and widely available in various forms. However, iron rather quickly rusts when exposed to air, making it hard to stabilize as a dietary supplement. This has led researchers to identify chelates, or molecules with both positive and negative charges, which help transport iron into the bloodstream by binding to these metal ions in the stomach. Some common types include: Ferrous fumarate: Tri-iron complex that makes up about half of all dietary supplements for iron Ferric citrate: Tri-iron complex which forms approximately 30% of iron supplements Ferrous gluconate: Another iron complex that makes up about 20% of iron supplements. If you would like more details, visit our comprehensive guide to blood testing here.

Low iron levels can have many negative symptoms and health effects. Iron deficiency anemia, the most common type of iron deficiency, occurs when the body does not produce enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen through the body. Common symptoms include: Weakness Fatigue Pale complexion Headaches Shortness of breath Heart palpitations A number of other health conditions may be linked with low iron levels as well including other forms of anemia, ADHD, impotence and restless leg syndrome.

Iron is essential to the human body and plays a pivotal role in hemoglobin production, muscle function, DNA synthesis and energy metabolism. Inadequate iron intake can lead to decreased levels of oxygen in the blood and many negative symptoms as a result. Therefore, it is important for people with low iron levels to learn about types of iron supplements and how they work so that they can be more effective at increasing their iron intake.

Types of Iron Supplements:

Whole-food sources are generally preferred over isolated sources of nutrients such as supplements since whole foods provide a variety of additional vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds that enhance the health impact of nutrients consumed from these sources. The following are some examples of whole food sources rich in iron: Lentils Kidney beans Black-eyed peas Spinach Dried apricots Raisins Cashews Nuts and seeds Whey protein powder Iron supplements are available in several different formulations, each of which has its own properties and effects. The following is a list of some of the most commonly used forms: Ferrous fumarate (also known as ferrous iron) Ferric citrate Isolated iron powders Chelated or complexed iron supplements Iron absorption from food can be affected by the presence of other compounds in the food or beverage ingested. For example, calcium blocks the absorption of iron; therefore, it is important to separate calcium-rich foods from meals where you ingest iron. Phytates found in legumes and grains also inhibit absorbtion of iron into the body; for this reason, these foods should not be eaten at the same time as meals containing large amounts of supplemental iron.

Iron Blood Test:

Iron is one of the most abundant metals on Earth and our bodies require it daily in order to perform a variety of essential functions. However, while low iron can have many negative effects, excessive iron can also be dangerous. Therefore, it is important for people with low or high iron levels to get their levels tested by a health care professional.

Iron Supplements:

Heme vs. Non-Heme Iron One key distinction between types of dietary supplements containing iron is whether they consist primarily of heme or non-heme sources of this metal ions . Heme derived from animal foods such as red meats and offal are more easily absorbed into the bloodstream than non-heme forms found in plant foods . For this reason, when supplemented, heme iron is typically only provided in small amounts, such as 15-30 mg, while non-heme iron is available in larger quantities, generally 40-60 mg. Since absorption rates of the two differ, it is important to be aware of which type of supplement you are taking and how much you should take. For example, people with intestinal conditions that impair their gut absorption may find they are better able to tolerate non-heme supplements without issues regarding side effects from consuming too much .