Micronutrient testing measures the amounts of many of the body’s essential nutrients. This provides a much more sensitive measure of health status. Testing iron levels is a critical component of the micronutrient test profile, as it can be measured in the blood to tell how well the body is absorbing and then storing iron. Just as with other minerals, over-supplementation or under-supplementation of iron leads to health issues and thus calls for its monitoring. In this blog, we shall discuss what is micronutrient testing, more specifically iron testing, entails and why.
Furthermore, iron is an important nutrient that helps the body function properly through the formation of hemoglobin—a protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport in the body. Iron can be acquired from many other food sources, including meat, broccoli, lentils, quinoa, eggs, spinach, and dry fruits. When absorbed, it forms hemoglobin and stores any excess levels in a form known as ferritin.
What is Micronutrient Testing of Iron?
Micronutrient testing measures the concentration levels of various vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in the body, including iron. Thus, a healthcare professional can know whether there are some deficiencies or imbalances that contribute to health problems. Among the most common micronutrient tests, iron testing helps determine whether the body is abundant in enough iron to function optimally.
What is Micronutrient Testing of Iron? Iron tests entail a number of assessments, such as serum iron levels, ferritin levels, transferrin tests, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). These tests give a comprehensive picture of how much iron is circulating through the blood, how much that is stored, and how well it is being transported around in the body.
Types of Iron Tests and What They Measure?
Serum Iron Levels: This test measures the total amount of iron in the blood. For males, it typically falls between 65 to 176 micrograms per deciliter while for females, the range is between 50 to 170 micrograms per deciliter.
Ferritin Levels: Ferritin levels show the amount of iron stored in the body. The normal range is 20-500 ng/ml for men and 20-200 ng/ml for women.
Transferrin Test: Transferrin is a protein that carries iron throughout the body. The transferrin test is performed to determine the quantity of this protein, showing the body is moving how much iron.
Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC): This test tests the attachment ability of iron to proteins, including transferrin, as well as other proteins in the body. These tests aid in the process of establishing whether or not the body has an adequate capacity to store and utilize iron.
Why is Micronutrient Testing Important?
What is Micronutrient testing of iron? Iron tests can be crucial for detecting and managing different health conditions associated with imbalances in certain nutrients. Also, how low the levels of iron in the body go can drastically affect the body negatively or positively. Low amounts of iron may lead to anemia diseases while high amounts of iron lead to the development of diseases such as hemochromatosis.
Common Reasons to Undergo Micronutrient Testing:
Diagnosis of Anemia: Micronutrient testing diagnoses many types of anemia, such as iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia. Anemia develops when the body is not producing red blood cells at an adequate rate, leading to fatigue, weak spots, and shortness of breath.
Hemochromatosis Testing: Hemochromatosis is a disorder that progresses with too much iron within the body, potentially causing organ impairment. Without early diagnosis, complications arise as liver disease from an iron test.
When Do You Need Micronutrient Testing?
You might need micronutrient testing if you are experiencing any of the following conditions:
Low Levels of Iron:
- Weakness and dizziness
- Feeling easily tired even when resting
- General weakness with persistent aching of the body
- Difficulty in breathing
High levels of iron:
- Arthritis causing joint pains
- Weakness or lack of energy, coupled with long-term fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Unintended weight loss
- Discomfort in the abdominal area
These conditions may be characterized by the existence of iron imbalance; hence, a test involving micronutrient testing is necessary.
What is Involved In The Iron Test?
Testing for micronutrients, like iron, is straightforward. A physician or nurse typically will draw out a small sample from a vein in your arm by introducing a small needle. The test will only take a few minutes. When the needle is inserted and withdrawn from the skin in your arm, some of you may experience stinging or burning. In fact, a certain precision in your test results can be attained if you can abstain for at least 12 hours prior to getting tested, especially if having the level of iron measured.
Is There Any Risk Involved with Conducting Micronutrient Testing?
Micronutrient testing, like iron tests, is typically a low-risk procedure with very minor risks. The primary risk is mild pain or tenderness at the site where the blood was drawn, which is generally short-lived and gone within a few hours.
Interpretation of Results: What Does It Mean?
The test results can determine if your iron levels are within the normal range or out of balance.
Low iron:
If the tests suggest low iron, you may have one of the most common forms of anemia. Treatment may present itself through changes in your diet, supplements, or prescription medication.
High iron:
Perhaps you have hemochromatosis if tests happen to reflect high counts of iron. It’s a medical condition treated by reducing the levels of iron in your system and avoiding its complications.
In this case and in the one above, some lifestyle adjustments such as an iron-packed diet supplement intake or other prescribed medical treatments might probably just do the trick to correct the imbalance.
Nutrient Balance Correction via Micronutrient Testing
Regularly testing the micronutrients you have in your body can be a sure and safe way to ensure that every essence there is enough for your proper nutritional intake. For those experiencing symptoms that may point to an issue with iron, it could give you a clear view of what’s going on. Since the body might need a little more to reach its optimum condition, treatment might come in the form of dietary changes, iron supplements, or even other medications.
The IV Lounge’s Micronutrient Testing services help determine nutritional deficiencies and imbalances in a body at IV Lounge. It aims to bring you to a brighter path toward wellness. So, get your iron levels tested fast and book an appointment now!