From eNewsletter 11/4/2024
DID YOU KNOW that nearly one-third of US adults may have low iron levels that can contribute from fatigue to heart failure? Researchers in a JAMA Network Open study estimate that 7% of US adults also have anemia.
What makes these estimations conservative is that labs have different reference ranges for ferritin, a barometer of iron storage and a better marker for anemia. For example, labs have cutoff values for low levels at 15, 30, and 45. Here is our reference ranges for low levels: 35 or less for females; 50 or less for females after menopause; 50 or less for males. Many physicians don't even ask for ferritin in standard blood work, but we have always done so.
There are so many metabolic functions related to either too little or too much iron. One recent study found that in reproductive-age women, every unit increase in serum iron within optimal reference range was associated with a 43% lower risk of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
To read the rest of today's issue, please go to this page.
Commenti