Normal iron levels in adults
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Normal Iron Levels in Adults: Key Biomarkers and Reference Ranges
Iron is essential for many body functions, including oxygen transport and energy production. In adults, iron status is typically assessed using several blood markers, with reference ranges varying by sex and age group. The most common markers include serum iron, ferritin, hemoglobin, and transferrin saturation 156.
Serum Iron Reference Ranges
Normal serum iron levels differ between men and women:
- For women, normal plasma iron levels are generally between 37–145 µg/dL.
- For men, normal plasma iron levels are typically between 59–158 µg/dL .
Ferritin as an Indicator of Iron Stores
Ferritin reflects the body’s iron reserves:
- Normal ferritin levels are usually considered to be 30–200 ng/mL for women and 30–300 ng/mL for men.
- Low ferritin is defined as <30 ng/mL, while high ferritin is >200 ng/mL in women and >300 ng/mL in men 356.
- Ferritin levels can be influenced by age and inflammation, so interpretation should consider these factors 56.
Hemoglobin and Anemia Thresholds
Hemoglobin is a key marker for diagnosing anemia:
- Anemia is commonly defined as hemoglobin <12 g/dL for women and <13 g/dL for men .
- These thresholds help identify iron deficiency anemia, especially in older adults .
Other Iron Status Markers
Additional tests can provide more information:
- Transferrin saturation (TS) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) are useful for distinguishing types of iron deficiency 56.
- In absolute iron deficiency, both ferritin and TS are low, while sTfR is high .
- In functional iron deficiency (often due to inflammation), ferritin may be normal or high, TS is low or normal, and sTfR is normal .
Importance of Maintaining Normal Iron Levels
Maintaining iron within the normal range is crucial for health:
- Both iron deficiency and iron overload can lead to health problems, including cognitive impairment and reduced physical activity, especially in older adults 135.
- Regular monitoring and following dietary guidelines help maintain balanced iron levels and reduce disease risk .
Conclusion
Normal iron levels in adults are defined by specific reference ranges for serum iron, ferritin, and hemoglobin, with slight differences between men and women. Accurate assessment using these markers is important for diagnosing iron-related disorders and ensuring overall health, particularly in older adults 13456.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
1
Iron homeostasis in older adults: balancing nutritional requirements and health risks.
Older adults should follow recommended daily intake guidelines and assess iron levels to maintain iron balance and promote healthy aging.
2024·
19citations
·Rola S. Zeidan et al.The journal of nutrition, health...2
The Iron Requirement of the Normal Human Adult
The optimal iron requirement for a normal adult is based on the amount of iron metabolized by the human organism, rather than the amount of iron consumed in a palatable diet.
1935·
12citations
·G. E. Farrar et al.Journal of Nutrition3
Association between Body Iron Status and Cognitive Task Performance in a Nationally Representative Sample of Older Adults
High serum ferritin levels are significantly associated with worse cognitive task performance in older adults, with a stronger association in adults aged 60-69 years old.
Observational Study
2024·
0citations
·Jianying Peng et al.Aging and Disease4
RED CELL INDICES IN MEN AND WOMEN WITH NORMAL AND LOW PLASMA IRON LEVELS
Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and certain erythrocyte indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW) can help diagnose iron deficiency in both men and women.
2024·
0citations
·H. Tkaczenko et al.Biota. Human. Technology5
Iron in the General Population and Specificities in Older Adults: Metabolism, Causes and Consequences of Decrease or Overload, and Biological Assessment
Older adults have a high frequency of iron deficiency and severe consequences, making accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions crucial.
Very Rigorous Journal
2020·
8citations
·P. Manckoundia et al.Clinical Interventions in Aging6
Iron deficiency anemia in older adults: A review
Older adults with iron deficiency anemia should undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy to identify underlying bleeding causes, and parenteral iron administration is a convenient and safe treatment option.
Literature ReviewVery Rigorous Journal
2018·
48citations
·E. Joosten Geriatrics & Gerontology Interna...7
Association between Body Iron Status and Leukocyte Telomere Length, a Biomarker of Biological Aging, in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults.
High body iron status is associated with shorter telomeres in US adults, particularly in those aged 65 years or older.
Observational Study
2019·
33citations
·Buyun Liu et al.Journal of the Academy of Nutrit...8
Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for iron
The EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods, and Food Allergens has established a safe iron intake level of 40 mg/day for adults, 10 mg/day for children aged 1-17, and 5 mg/day for infants aged 7-11 months.
Literature Review
2024·
6citations
·Dominique Turck et al.EFSA Journal9
Association between serum iron levels and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases among American older adults: a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–2018
In the US elderly population, serum iron levels are negatively associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, particularly when below 131 g/dL.
Observational Study
2024·
1citation
·Xiaochen Yu et al.Frontiers in Nutrition