Final answer:
Measurements of serum iron and transferrin can determine iron deficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The measurements of serum iron and transferrin can be used to determine iron deficiency (c)).
Serum iron refers to the amount of iron present in the blood, while transferrin is a protein that carries iron throughout the body. Low levels of serum iron or abnormal levels of transferrin can indicate iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency is a common condition that occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron to produce sufficient red blood cells. Symptoms of iron deficiency can include fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Blood tests that measure serum iron and transferrin levels can help diagnose iron deficiency.
Serum iron is the amount of iron present in the blood, and transferrin is a protein that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. Together, these measurements can indicate whether enough iron is available for essential bodily functions, such as the transport of oxygen and the synthesis of hemoglobin found in red blood cells.
Iron serves crucial roles in the physiological functions of the body, including oxygen transport, cellular respiration, and as a component of various enzymes and proteins. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition characterized by low levels of hemoglobin due to insufficient iron, with common symptoms such as fatigue and weakness appearing in affected individuals.
Iron metabolism can be disturbed by various factors including decreased hemoglobin formation, declining circulating hemoglobin, abnormal serum iron concentrations, and the abnormal deposition of iron in tissues. Accurate measurement of serum iron levels using methods like the reaction with Ferrozine, which forms a pink complex with Fe³+, helps in the diagnosis and management of iron-related disorders, such as iron deficiency anemia.