iron Flashcards
why do we need iron
essential fro O2 and electron transport
why is iron dangerois
toxic as can generate free radicals
what state is iron in a Hb molecule
Fe2+
circulating iron is bound to?
transferrin
iron is stored as what and where
ferritin
mainly in the liver
how to test functional iron
Hb
how to test transport iron
transferrin saturation %
howto test storage iron
serum ferritin
what are the causes of iron deficiency
not eating enoguh- vegan, pregnant
losing blood- GI ulcer, tumour, NSAIDS, haematuria, menorrhagia
not absorbing - coeliac disease
where is iron absorbed
duodenum!!
what is the role of hepcidin?
it is produced in liver in response to iron overload so it a negative regualtor of iron uptake
long term excess iron absorption
primary iron overload
( haemochromatosis)
what can cause seocndary iron overload?
repeated blood transfusion
thalassaemia syndroms
sideroblastic anaemias
myelodysplasia
