Update to IRON DEFICIENCY and IRON OVERLOAD flow diagram, management
IMAGE and PDF updated and included here
Too much or too little iron = possible major health consequences
We evaluate iron status by measuring a blood protein called FERRITIN, which is the major storage protein for iron:
Iron deficiency = ferritin <20: the major associated problem is gastrointestinal pathology. See my previous post detailing IRON DEFICIENCY.
Iron perfection = ferritin 40-80
Too much iron, but not a major problem = ferritin 120-160. Best plan here is to donate blood in order to rid the body of excess iron.
Too much iron with pending problems = ferritin >200 in a woman or >300 in a man. See my previous post detailing IRON OVERLOAD and my short article included below as a downloadable PDF.
PDF download of updated image:
PDF download of my 1996 letter/article:
Quick Consult on IRON DEFICIENCY: Discussion and Diagram
Iron deficiency is relatively common worldwide in all age groups and can occur in both genders although it is more common in women, mostly due to blood loss through menstruation and childbirth. Iron deficiency occurs as a result of 1) insufficient intake
Quick Consult on IRON OVERLOAD: Management Diagram, Lab Interpretation, My First Publications
IRON OVERLOAD was my first self-directed research topic and was the subject of my first publications; my first feature article was published in Nutritional Perspectives in 1994, a few letters in Townsend Letter for Doctors in 1994-1996, and then my first “big league” journal publication in 1996 in
