Why is Iron in my Blood Depleting? What does Iron Depletion Posted: 03-31-06 21:19pm
i recently had a physical and was told i
need totake a iron supplement and not sure
why my blood cell or iron is depleteing ?
what does depleteing mean?
Iron depletion indicates that there is not
enough iron in yourbody to produce
hemoglobin. Hemoglobin (Hgb) is a compound
protein, placed in the erythrocytes. The
iron contained in its structure binds
oxygen that is transported by the
erythrocytes to all organs in the body.
Iron depletion can be caused by two main
reasons: either there is not enough iron
entering into the body or there is too
much iron leaving the bidy. Low iron entry
can be caused by consuming food low in
iron OR a poor iron absorption in the
intestines (various intestinal disorders).
Increased iron expulsion is present in
cases of chronic bleeding (rectal, genital
etc.). In both conditions the result is
sideropenic anemia. Blood analyses show a
low number of erythrocytes, low
hemoglobin, and low iron in the serum.
Treatment of sideropenic anemia addresses
the primary reason(s) for iron depletion
(low iron entry or high iron expulsion)
and can include iron supplements.
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