Iron saturation tests measure the amount of iron in the body and can indicate health conditions like anemia, cirrhosis, and diabetes. Symptoms of high or low iron levels include fatigue, joint pain, and abdominal pain. The test measures transferrin iron saturation, with higher values indicating excess iron and lower values indicating deficiency. The test is a simple blood draw, but patients should avoid certain foods before the test. Low iron saturation can be caused by poor diet, drug use, pregnancy, and intestinal disorders. A doctor should be consulted before taking iron supplements.
The amount of iron present in the bloodstream is an important indication of the health of the body. There are certain tests a person can do to determine whether they have high or low levels of iron in their system. One of these tests measures the iron saturation in the body, which is a gauge used to measure the amount of total body iron. It also gives insight into how well the body transports and binds to this very essential nutrient. Abnormalities in the level of iron saturation can be indicative of conditions such as anemia, cirrhosis of the liver and diabetes.
If a person’s iron levels are too high or too low, there will be a range of signs and symptoms. Anyone who suffers from sore tongues, dizziness, and chronic fatigue may have low iron levels. Those with conditions such as decreased libido, joint pain, and abdominal pain may have too much iron in their blood. Sometimes, patients may suffer from iron poisoning caused by an overdose of iron tablets. In any case, an iron saturation test is necessary to determine the state of health.
The protein in the blood that binds and transports iron to various parts of the body, such as the liver and bone marrow, is called transferrin. The amount of iron in the blood is calculated by measuring the percentage of transferrin iron saturation or TS%. Typically, the TS% averages between 20 and 40%. A higher value indicates an excess of iron in the blood, while lower values indicate an iron deficiency. This percentage is obtained by taking into account the person’s serum iron level, total iron binding capacity, and unsaturated iron binding capacity.
Most medical laboratories will provide all three results when a person takes this test. The reported percentage can be understood in its simplest way as the amount of free iron that is transported by transferrin. For example, a TS% of 14 means that 14% of the amount of free iron in the blood is carried by transferrin. If a person’s iron levels are low, blood transferrin levels rise, and vice versa.
Taking an iron saturation test is a relatively simple procedure. The doctor or nurse takes a sample of blood from a person’s vein, usually from the arm. The patient is asked to refrain from eating foods before the test to get an accurate reading. Some foods such as red meat, vitamin C-rich fruit juices and alcohol have temporary effects on blood iron levels which can skew your results.
Bad eating habits are one of the main causes of low iron saturation. Some other causes could be the continuous use of drugs, pregnancy and heavy periods. Intestinal disorders can also affect iron absorption, leading to low iron levels. A diet that focuses on iron-rich foods will go a long way in regaining full health. It is best to consult a doctor before supplementing your diet with iron supplements.
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