Jernniveau

Jerniveau is a term used in Danish and Norwegian medical literature to denote the level of iron in the body or in a biological sample. It encompasses circulating iron in the serum as well as stored iron in tissues, and it is a key component of red blood cell production and various enzymatic processes that require iron as a cofactor.

Iron homeostasis is maintained by intestinal absorption, recycling of senescent red blood cells, and regulatory hormones such as hepcidin. The typical adult absorbs about 1–2 mg of iron daily, with losses through skin and mucosal surfaces. Iron is transported in plasma by transferrin and stored intracellularly as ferritin and, when overloaded, as hemosiderin. Adequate iron levels are necessary for oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and several enzymatic reactions.

Assessment of iron status uses several laboratory markers. Serum iron measures circulating iron but can fluctuate with meals and diurnal variation. Ferritin reflects iron stores but increases with inflammation or liver disease. Transferrin saturation, calculated from serum iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), indicates how much transferrin is loaded with iron. Reference ranges vary by sex, age, and laboratory.

Clinically, a low iron status suggests iron deficiency and potential iron deficiency anemia, while high iron or ferritin may indicate iron overload (such as hemochromatosis) or inflammatory states. Interpreting iron tests requires consideration of factors like inflammation, liver disease, pregnancy, and recent iron intake. Jernniveau is thus best understood as a set of interrelated measurements rather than a single value, guiding diagnosis and treatment decisions.

References to ferritin, transferrin saturation, and TIBC are commonly used together to assess iron status in routine practice.