Iron is involved in a whole range of biological processes and a consistent supply of iron is crucial for cellular turnover. But despite iron being an essential mineral for human function, it is highly toxic to cells and tissues if present at high levels. Therefore an intricate and tight regulation of iron is necessary.

If iron status gets too low, iron-deficiency anaemia can result. In such situations there is a shortfall in hemoglobin production, which leads to a range of issues in the body.

So how is iron status measured? Which biomarkers are most useful? Where can errors in diagnosis occur? What problems arise with iron deficiency? And what problems occur with iron overload?

In this episode, these questions (and more) are put to Dr. Austin Baraki, a practicing Internal Medicine physician and Assistant Professor of Medicine at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Texas.

This episode is the first in a three-part series on iron.

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