Question 1

how an iron deficiency affect the composition of blood?

Accepted Answer

Less red blood cells: Iron is involved in the formation of red blood cells essential for carrying oxygen in the blood to the body. Iron deficiency anemia results from low iron & thus blood composed of less red blood cells. This results in symtoms which may include pallor, fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, anxiety, irritability, depression, heart palpitations, & muscle twitching.

Question 2

what is the most accurate blood test to check for iron deficiency?

Accepted Answer

See below: Serum iron, TIBC, Ferritin, reticulocyte count, CBC with indices (MCV, MCHC, MCV) and RDW.

Question 3

can iron deficiency start from the blood and not stores, in my blood works  hgb, rbc fine every time only iron was always low, how???

Accepted Answer

Of course: Iron deficiency is present and you can feel crummy long before you become anemic. Now, why are you iron deficient? I hope you are not a non-supplementing vegetarian. If so, please reconsider. Your physician will check you for possible sources of blood loss. If you have some other illness that might make your iron low, such as arthritis, this may explain it.

Question 4

blood report shows 26.6 pg mch.a little below normal. was it due to donating a pint of blood some 20-30 days before the blood test or iron deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps neither: Would need to know rest of test data, can be normal for you if blood count (hgb / hct) and size (MCV) normal. May benefit from discussing w/your dr and possibly iron studies, but need to look at whole picture, not just one value.

Question 5

i recently found out i have low iron, iron deficiency and got meds dr is sending me for more blood said i was slightly low with liver test is that bad?

Accepted Answer

Low iron: Need much more information to be able to help. Not likely bad.

Question 6

can an iron deficiency prevent me from donating blood?

Accepted Answer

Yes, temporarily: If you have low iron level, you are likely to have low hemoglobin (carries oxygen) level, which is a key reason people receive blood--so you would be temporarily deferred until fixed. Usually just a multivitamin with iron and more dark greens / some red meat will fix this, but see your Dr if not improving with these simple adjustments.

Question 7

is it possible to have normal blood levels but have every symptom of severe iron deficiency anemia?

Accepted Answer

Probably not anemia: "Normal blood levels" (e.g. hematocrit, hemoglobin, or iron testing) prove iron deficiency isn't the problem. The symptoms of "severe iron deficiency anemia" are exactly the same for many other health problems. See your doctor to learn the cause.

Question 8

i have very mild anemia. is there a blood test to determine what caused my anemia? is there an iron deficiency test to determine if i have iron def.?

Accepted Answer

Blood test: Serum iron and ferritin levels provide a good indication of iron stores in the body. A simple blood count, if it shows small red cells is usually an indication of iron deficiency. Menstruating women are at risk of iron deficiency duet to loss of red blood cells in the menstrual discharge. You may take oral iron supplement with multivitamins.

Question 9

what kind of blood tests for iron deficiency/anemia?

Accepted Answer

CBC and Ferritin: A CBC would establish a diagnosis of anemia and microcytosis would suggest iron deficiency.  The latter can be tested for by measuring blood levels of ferritin, transferrin, and iron binding capacity.  The cause of iron deficiency then needs to be investigated and may be due to blood loss, dietatry deficiency, malabsorption etc.

Question 10

is my hairloss related with my iron deficiency? blood test shows 12 units-iron deficienecy. (13-300). taking iron pills. pls help very less hair :'(.

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Your iron deficiency needs to be treated, and even more importantly its cause found. If your hair loss is due to telogen effluvium, maybe treating your iron deficiency will help. If it's from a fungus, seborrhea, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, or hypothyroidism (i hope that's been checked), it won't. If you must ask, it's time for a dermatology consultation.

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Doctor answers about:

Iron deficiency and blood donated by someone with hemochromatosis

A member asked:

How an iron deficiency affect the composition of blood?

A member asked:

What is the most accurate blood test to check for iron deficiency?

A member asked:

Can iron deficiency start from the blood and not stores, in my blood works hgb, rbc fine every time only iron was always low, how???

A member asked:

Blood report shows 26.6 pg mch.a little below normal. was it due to donating a pint of blood some 20-30 days before the blood test or iron deficiency?

A member asked:

I recently found out i have low iron, iron deficiency and got meds dr is sending me for more blood said i was slightly low with liver test is that bad?

A member asked:

Can an iron deficiency prevent me from donating blood?

A member asked:

Is it possible to have normal blood levels but have every symptom of severe iron deficiency anemia?

A member asked:

I have very mild anemia. is there a blood test to determine what caused my anemia? is there an iron deficiency test to determine if i have iron def.?

A member asked:

What kind of blood tests for iron deficiency/anemia?

A member asked:

Is my hairloss related with my iron deficiency? blood test shows 12 units-iron deficienecy. (13-300). taking iron pills. pls help very less hair :'(.

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