What is the normal level of iron in the body?

The normal percentage of iron in the body 

Iron level tests determine the amount of iron in the body by measuring the levels of several substances in the blood. These tests are usually requested together, and their results are interpreted together to diagnose the condition of a person’s iron levels, and if he suffers from a deficiency or an increase in iron levels,

 and there are many Of the forms of iron within the body, the following is the normal percentage for each of them: 

• Iron: The normal level of iron in the blood ranges between 60 to 170 micrograms per deciliter of blood. 
• Transferrin proteins: The normal percentage of saturation of transferrin, which is a protein found inside the blood that transports iron within the body, ranges between 25% to 35%. The doctor can determine that the body contains a large or small amount of iron in the blood by examining the amount of iron present in transferrin proteins. 
• Iron stores: The normal level of iron stores ranges between 20-200 nanograms per milliliter for women, and 20-500 nanograms per milliliter for men. (Mayo Clinic).
• Hemoglobin: The normal hemoglobin level ranges between 12 to 15.5 grams per deciliter for women, and between 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter for men.

Causes of abnormal iron levels in the body

•  Iron levels that are lower than normal: Some people may suffer from iron levels that are lower than normal, and this happens for several reasons, including: 

1. Suffering from intestinal bleeding for a long time. 
2. Heavy menstrual bleeding. 
3. Suffering from intestinal disorders that cause poor iron absorption.
4.  Not consuming sufficient amounts of iron from food.
5.  Pregnancy. 

• A higher than normal level of iron: There are some cases that may lead to an increase in iron levels in the blood above normal, and among these cases we mention the following: 

1.  Hemolytic anemia, a condition that causes the death of red blood cells. 
2. Iron or lead poisoning. 
3. Iron overload (in English: Hemochromatosis), which causes iron accumulation in the body.
4.  Exposure to many blood transfusions. Liver damage.

Iron sources

 Iron sources vary between animal sources and plant sources, and the following are the most prominent of these sources. 

Plant sources of iron

 Adding vitamin C sources to plant sources enhances the process of iron absorption. Every plant meal that contains iron is considered important, even though the body absorbs less iron from this source. Below we mention some of the best plant sources of iron: 

• Fortified breakfast cereals. 
• Cashews.
•  Tofu. 
• Lentils. 
• Beans. 
• Fortified bread. 
• Baked potatoes.
•  Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach. 
• Whole grains.

Animal sources of iron

 Turkey , chicken, oysters, and beef are the best animal sources for iron, and iron absorption from animal sources is two to three times greater than from plant sources .

Iron deficiency in the blood 

Iron deficiency anemia is a health condition in which there is a lack of healthy red blood cells in the blood, which are the cells that carry oxygen to the body's tissues. This disease is considered one of the common types of anemia or anemia . Blood, without obtaining sufficient amounts of iron, the body will not produce the substance that allows red blood cells to carry the oxygen element hemoglobin, and therefore this disease is called iron deficiency anemia, as it occurs as a result of insufficient amounts of iron, and may cause fatigue and shortness of breath for people who suffer from it. 

Overview of iron 

Iron is one of the body's essential minerals, which has many important functions. The body needs it in small quantities to manufacture red blood cells, as it is part of hemoglobin, which is a protein found in red blood cells, which binds to oxygen and distributes it throughout the body. It is worth noting that the body cannot manufacture iron, so it is The important thing is to get sufficient amounts of it from food or supplements. [1]