Research in Iron Levels Supports Patients Healthy Living

Recent research found that people with low or very high levels of transferrin saturation ratio are at higher risk of death. The death measure available iron in the blood where normal results lower level prove deficiency and high levels excess of iron in the blood.

Research found that patients with considerably  deficient iron levels, below 17.5% saw the death rate increase by 45% but high levels of iron did not see a particularly increase from the regular rate of death.

Blood Analyzers can test the blood and lower levels of iron indicated deficiency while higher levels, over 50% can be cause for concern and be damaging to the patients health. Haemochromatosis multiple blood transfusions and cirrhosis are usually the cause of these high levels of iron.

The problem arise in treating the medical issue because it was unknown what the right level should be in the result from the transferrin saturation ratio and to ensure that the patient can continue to regain and sustain a point of normal health. There seems to be differing opinion if low levels show an increase risk of death or not. Some studies support the claim that it does increase the risk of death while other reports conclude that it is not indicative of such concerns.

The study focused on 15,823 adults being treated as part of the study from 1988 to 1994 with follow up evaluation in 2006. The aim was to identify the risks associated with transferrin saturation ratio and to try to further identify the best healthy level.

"In this very large population-based study, we found that individuals at both ends of the spectrum-people with very high and very low levels were at increased risk of death" said Professor Stack. This pattern of association was what we call a j-shaped relationship. We found that adults with the lowest levels of transferrin saturation ratio (< 17.5 %) had higher percentage of anaemia and several other chronic conditions like disease, diabetes, and poor socioeconomic status, indicators that might have accounted for the higher rates of death. Yet, when we accounted for these factors in our analysis, low levels continued to predict higher death risk."

"What was even more surprising, was that adults who had high transferrin saturation ratio > 31% also experienced higher rates of death, a relationship that was not accounted for by levels of inflammation or other medical conditions."

There was a high correlation between the transferrin saturation and cardiovascular disease. In the case of a very low level, below 17.5% saw the risk of cardiovascular death rise over 200%. A high TSAT level over 31% increased the risk of cardiovascular disease by nearly 60%.

These results seem to finally bring some important results to the wider community. The study indicates preferable transferring saturation range between 23-40%. Using blood culture analyzer equipment can help patients with either low or high levels of iron to work towards staying within that range. The study further illustrates the value that the transferring saturation ratio has great value in assessing patient health while correcting low levels of transferrin saturation ratio.