Essential redox-active mineral
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About Iron
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About Iron
Overview and History
Iron is a transition metal and an essential trace mineral found in two common ionic states (ferrous and ferric) that enable redox chemistry. Biochemically it appears in heme proteins (e.g., hemoproteins) and non-heme enzymes, and it participates in electron transfer, oxygen handling, and catalytic reactions.
Historically recognized for its physiological importance, iron’s clinical relevance grew with discoveries of hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin. Core functions include oxygen binding and delivery, electron transport in mitochondria (cytochromes), enzymatic catalysis, and storage/transport balance mediated by ferritin and transferrin proteins.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Low circulating iron may indicate reduced iron available for transport and metabolic use; this pattern can be associated with fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, or cognitive sluggishness, but interpretation depends on storage and transport markers such as ferritin and transferrin saturation. High serum iron may reflect increased circulating iron, altered release from stores, or changes in transport and clearance and can be associated with oxidative stress risk or disrupted metabolic patterns.
Iron values should be interpreted within the full nutrient and inflammatory context, including iron storage, binding capacity, red blood cell metrics, and relevant genetic variants that affect absorption and handling.
Featured Test
Iron is included in the Nutrient Zoomer to assess circulating availability and how that availability relates to storage, transport, and genetic factors. As part of the broader panel, iron helps reveal patterns affecting cellular energy, oxygen delivery, and redox balance, informing personalized nutrition and monitoring strategies.
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Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
