Iron-binding capacity

A measure of the iron uptake and return in blood, in relation to the synthesis and breakdown of hemoglobin.


Iron-binding capacity serves as a metric to assess the quantity of transferrin, a protein that complements hemoglobin in its role of binding and ferrying iron within the bloodstream. Measuring this capacity can aid in determining the underlying cause of anemia, a condition characterized by diminished levels of hemoglobin in the blood.


The primary production site of transferrin is the liver, where its synthesis takes place. The quantity of transferrin synthesized is contingent upon the iron stores present in the body. In instances of iron-deficiency anemia, characterized by depleted iron levels, the liver increases transferrin production to optimize iron-carrying capacity within the blood. Consequently, the levels of transferrin and the iron-binding capacity of the blood elevate, despite the low overall iron content in the body.


 


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