In anemia, the hemoglobin level (Hb) has decreased and/or the number of red blood cells is reduced. In some cases this reduction is proportional to the decrease in hemoglobin levels, but often not. The ratio between the Hb value and the number of erythrocytes is expressed in the color index. In the vast majority of cases, anemia is due to iron deficiency, where the body does not have enough of this mineral for the production of hemoglobin. This abnormality occurs, among other things, during pregnancy or as a result of chronic blood loss. Anemia has many causes. The blood contains billions of erythrocytes and the amount of iron the body needs is only 4.5 grams. Welcome to the wonderful world of blood.
Contents
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes) – carriers of hemoglobin
- Hemoglobin – as indispensable as oxygen
- Menstruation and pregnancy
- Causes of anemia
- Four categories
- Iron and anemia (anemia)
- Serum iron
- Iron values
- Symptoms of anemia
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) – carriers of hemoglobin
The erythrocytes are the carriers of hemoglobin, the red blood dye. Every minute, tens of millions of these cells are produced in the red bone marrow and broken down in the spleen and liver. One microliter (= 1 mm³) of blood contains approximately 5 million erythrocytes. The average lifespan of an erythrocyte is 100 to 120 days. Approximately one percent (50 ml) of the blood volume is renewed every day, the iron of which is partly reused.
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) / Source: Geralt, Pixabay
Hemoglobin – as indispensable as oxygen
The protein hemoglobin is also called red blood dye. It is ferrous and binds to oxygen and carbon dioxide. Iron is indispensable. It is mainly found in the diet. With a normal diet, food contains approximately 15 mg of iron, of which approximately 10 percent is absorbed into the blood daily, or approximately 1.5 grams. The iron is excreted through, among other things, the feces and the (flaking) horn skin.
Absorption and excretion
In healthy people, the absorption and excretion of iron is virtually the same. In men, the average hemoglobin level (Hb) is 10 mmol/l (16g/100 ml) and in women it is 8.5 mmol/l (13.5 g/100 ml).
Menstruation and pregnancy
During menstruation, one loses approximately 50 ml of blood per month, the equivalent of 25 mg of iron, or 1 mg per day. Given the iron absorption, it is not surprising that heavy menstruation eventually causes iron deficiency anemia, or iron deficiency anemia. Pregnancy as such also places a heavy burden on iron stores.
Greater iron requirement
During the entire pregnancy period this amounts to approximately 400 mg, although it must be borne in mind that another 300 mg is lost during delivery and removed with the placenta. In these nine months this concerns almost 1 gram of iron. That’s an important reason why pregnant women need more
iron .
Causes of anemia
In anemia, the number of erythrocytes is reduced and/or the hemoglobin level is reduced. This can be determined, among other things, by determining the color index and counting the erythrocytes. The causes of anemia can be numerous, ranging from a vitamin B12 deficiency to (chronic) blood loss, a serious infection and rheumatism.
Four categories
The causes of anemia can be roughly divided into four groups:
- Inadequate production of red blood cells, which depends, among other things, on factors such as the absorption of iron as well as vitamin B12, vitamin B complex, folic acid and protein.
- Inferior production of erythrocytes, such as in sickle cell anemia, but also as a result of infections, uremia and poisoning by, for example, lead and other heavy metals. Certain medications can also be to blame.
- Hemolytic anemia (hereditary).
- Acute or chronic blood loss.
Source: FotoshopTofs, Pixabay
Iron and anemia (anemia)
The body uses iron sparingly. Under normal circumstances, iron absorption and excretion are in balance, provided the iron depots are filled. These depots are used under certain circumstances. Reserve iron is found in hemoglobin and in certain organs, including the bone marrow and the liver. In the event of gradual depletion, such as chronic blood loss due to a tumor, iron deficiency anemia eventually develops.
Serum iron
The above has major consequences for metabolism, because oxygen transport is at stake. In the spleen, hemoglobin is released from the erythrocytes and possibly stored in the iron depots (liver, spleen, bone marrow). Determining serum iron can show how much iron is circulating in the body and available. A low serum iron level is usually a sign that the iron depots are depleted. The amount of iron in the body is approximately 4.5 grams, largely hemoglobin iron.
Iron values
The physiological iron values in the body are average:
- Depot iron (in organs): 1 g
- Hemoglobin iron: 2.5-3 g
- Ferritin: 0.8 g
- enzymes: 0.02 g
- myoglobin iron: 0.1 g
Symptoms of anemia
Anemia can occur insidiously. In the initial phase there do not have to be any complaints, because the person in question becomes used to a slowly decreasing hemoglobin level (Hb) and therefore a chronic deficiency, regardless of the cause. The clinical manifestations of anemia include a wide range of symptoms . Some of these are:
- Pale skin.
- Slimming.
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Lack of appetite.
- Shortness of breath if the anemia enters a severe phase.
read more
- This is how anemia occurs
- Lesser known causes of anemia
- The wonderful red blood cells (erythrocytes)
- Mineral deficiency – complaints, symptoms and conditions
- Blood tests – finger prick, venipuncture and astrup
