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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin K
- National Heart Lung & Blood Institute: What Is Hemophilia?
- National Heart Lung & Blood Institute: What Is Hemophilia?
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High Iron Levels & Blood Clots
A serum iron blood test identifies high iron levels within the blood circulation. Although it is not a routinely ordered blood test, the serum iron test is ordered when a physician suspects iron overload. Although iron plays an important role in the production of blood, the body’s iron levels typically do not affect the blood’s ability to clot properly.
High Iron Levels
High iron levels commonly indicate hemochromatosis, hemolytic anemia or sideroblastic anemia. However, iron levels might also increase after multiple blood transfusions, lead poisoning or iron injections into the muscle and with kidney or liver disease. Symptoms of iron overload include:
- fatigue
- lack of energy
- muscle weakness
- joint pain
- abdominal pain
- areas of darkened skin
- decreased sex drive
A severe iron overload might also cause weight loss or heart problems. Problems with blood clotting are uncommon with high iron levels.
- High iron levels commonly indicate hemochromatosis, hemolytic anemia or sideroblastic anemia.
- However, iron levels might also increase after multiple blood transfusions, lead poisoning or iron injections into the muscle and with kidney or liver disease.
Increased Blood Clotting
What Are the Causes of Low Iron Levels in a Low Blood Count & Weight Loss?
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Excessive blood clotting occurs with dysfunction of the body’s clotting function. A variety of diseases and medical conditions can cause excessive production of blood clots or slowed dissolving of blood clots; either way, it results in an excessive accumulation of clots. These conditions include antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, certain bone marrow disorders, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Excessive clotting in the limbs is commonly caused by physical trauma to the body or remaining in the same position for an extended period of time. Increased systemic blood clotting might also be caused by genetic mutations, certain medications, pregnancy, dehydration and a history of smoking.
- Excessive blood clotting occurs with dysfunction of the body’s clotting function.
- Increased systemic blood clotting might also be caused by genetic mutations, certain medications, pregnancy, dehydration and a history of smoking.
Decreased Blood Clotting
Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common causes of decreased blood clotting. This condition occurs when a decreased number of platelets circulate in the blood. Since platelets are responsible for the clumping of blood cells, a decreased number of platelets significantly affects the blood’s clotting ability. Decreased blood clotting might also be caused by hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder that simply does not allow the blood to clot normally. Typically, hemophilia is an inherited disorder 3.
- Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common causes of decreased blood clotting.
- Decreased blood clotting might also be caused by hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder that simply does not allow the blood to clot normally.
The Real Culprit
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Although iron levels typically do not affect the body’s blood clotting abilities, vitamin K levels can impact the clotting process. In fact, a vitamin K deficiency is a common cause of decreased blood clotting. Vitamin K is one of the fat-soluble vitamins. Dietary sources include green leafy vegetables, soybean oil, canola oil, broccoli and olive oil. To avoid vitamin K deficiency and the associated blood clotting impairments, adult males over age 19 should take in at least 120 mg of vitamin K per day, while adult females 90 mg per day. Children, pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers should consult a physician or dietitian for the appropriate daily intake recommendations of vitamin K.
- Although iron levels typically do not affect the body’s blood clotting abilities, vitamin K levels can impact the clotting process.
- To avoid vitamin K deficiency and the associated blood clotting impairments, adult males over age 19 should take in at least 120 mg of vitamin K per day, while adult females 90 mg per day.
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References
- Lab Tests Online: Iron
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin K
- National Heart Lung & Blood Institute: What Is Hemophilia?
- Camaschella C. Iron deficiency: new insights into diagnosis and treatment. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2015;2015:8-13. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2015.1.8
- Pawlak R, Berger J, Hines I. Iron Status of Vegetarian Adults: A Review of Literature. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;12(6):486–498. doi:10.1177/1559827616682933
- DRI: Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2001.
- Alaunyte I, Stojceska V, Plunkett A. Iron and the female athlete: a review of dietary treatment methods for improving iron status and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:38. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0099-2
- Mirza FG, Abdul-kadir R, Breymann C, Fraser IS, Taher A. Impact and management of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in women's health. Expert Rev Hematol. 2018;11(9):727-736. doi:10.1080/17474086.2018.1502081
- Hegazy AA, Zaher MM, Abd El-Hafez MA, Morsy AA, Saleh RA. Relation between anemia and blood levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron among children. BMC Res Notes. 2010;3:133. Published 2010 May 12. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-3-133
- Qin Y, Melse-Boonstra A, Pan X, et al. Anemia in relation to body mass index and waist circumference among Chinese women. Nutr J. 2013;12:10. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-10
- Cleveland Clinic. Leukemia. Updated October 31, 2016.
- Merck Manual Professional Version. Iron Deficiency Anemia. Updated July 2018.
- Johns Hopkins Hospital. Iron-Deficiency Anemia.
- Abu-Ouf NM, Jan MM. The impact of maternal iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia on child's health. Saudi Med J. 2015;36(2):146–149. doi:10.15537/smj.2015.2.10289
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hemochromatosis. Updated March 2014.
Writer Bio
Krista Sheehan is a registered nurse and professional writer. She works in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and her previous nursing experience includes geriatrics, pulmonary disorders and home health care. Her professional writing works focus mainly on the subjects of physical health, fitness, nutrition and positive lifestyle changes.