More Hematology Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Hematology
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Paul Charest
Expertise
Any questions that have to do with hematology. Explaining laboratory tests including :coagulation (PT/aPTT), CBC, differential, ESR, and flow cytometry (leukemia/lymphoma)also including the theory behind them. Hemoglobinopathies, leukemia, lymphoma, hemostasis, hematopoiesis, and cellular morphology are a few of the topics that I teach and practice.
I also have experience with immunohematology, otherwise known as blood banking. Feel free to ask about blood types, blood groups, the type and crossmatch, transfusions, antibody identification, DAT, elutions as well as absorptions
I have also worked in a parasitology lab, as well as taught the subject as well. So feel free to ask about helminths (cestodes, trematodes, and nematodes), protozoan parasites, sporozoan etc.
Lastly, I teach a course in clinical mycology where we grow and identify yeasts and moulds.
Experience
I have worked in a hematology lab, flow-cytometry lab, blood bank, and microbiology lab. I am also an instructor at Northeastern University part-time
Education/Credentials
CLS(NCA)
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Hematology > iron supplement and serum iron level
Expert: Paul Charest
Date: 5/13/2008
Subject: iron supplement and serum iron level
Question
Hi, I took a multi-vitamin containing 18 mg of iron (100% daily value) about 20 - 24 hours before a CBC test that included a test for my iron level. My iron level came back as 192.
How long does it take for the iron supplement to metabolize? Could this make my iron test higher than it normally would? Should I avoid all supplements for a number of days prior to blood tests?
I stopped taking the multi-vitamin. A week later, I went to donate blood, and was told that my iron level was barely within the acceptable range. I have not given blood in years, but thought it would help lower my high iron. I decide not to give blood that day, as my iron had dropped. I am unsure how often I should take my multi-vitamin, and would like to know how much that supplement affected my iron blood level.
Thank You,
Linda
Answer
Hello Linda,It is normal to have serum iron fluctuations, this occurs naturally depending on what time it is. Diet and supplements can cause an obvious variability in serum iron. However, the serum iron test itself isn't very useful, it is most often associated with other tests such as ferritin, total iron binding capacity, percent transferrin saturation as well as others. Diagnosis is based on the above laboratory tests as well as a CBC with differential. Also, they do not test for iron (directly) when you go to donate blood. Instead they use hemoglobin, they usually stick your finger and collect a drop into a small glass cuvette that they put into a tiny spectrophotometer, and depending on the amount and wavelength of light absorbed by the hemoglobin in your blood, will give you an approximation of your hemoglobin. If your hemoglobin is low (you are probably anemic) they won't let you donate. Hemoglobin is related to iron because there are four atoms of iron in each hemoglobin molecule. And one of the most common reasons for anemia is due to an iron deficiency.Is there any reason for you to need iron supplements, do you have a diet that lacks iron? Have you been diagnosed with an iron-seficiency syndrome before? Taking an iron supplement before a blood test may cause serum iron to increase. However, some compounds such as ferritin are produced in the liver and take time to metabolize. Were there any other tests that were ordered?You shouldn't have to donate blood to lower your iron levels, or take supplements to increase your iron levels--unless indicated by your physician. There are biofeedback loops that regulate how much iron is absorbed by the duodenum, which is dependent on the need for it. I hope this helps, but if not try to find out if there are any other iron studies, which were performed--Ferritin. What is your iron status? Were you taking supplements due to a deficiency? Why are you trying to lower your serum iron levels with blood donations? Are you anemic and experiencing symptoms? What did your physician tell you?
Paul
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
