Trace Elements

Ferritin in the blood

Ferritin is a water-soluble complex of iron hydroxide with the protein apoferritin. It is found in the cells of the liver, spleen, red bone marrow, and reticulocytes.

Transferrin is a beta-globulin. The main function of transferrin is to transport absorbed iron to its depot (liver, spleen), to reticulocytes and their precursors in the red bone marrow. Transferrin is capable of binding ions of other metals (zinc, cobalt, etc.).

Total iron-binding capacity of blood serum

Total iron-binding capacity of blood serum is an indicator of transferrin concentration. It should be taken into account that when assessing the content of transferrin based on the results of determining the total iron-binding capacity of blood serum, it turns out to be overestimated by 16-20%, since at more than half saturation of transferrin, iron binds to other proteins.

Iron in the blood

The total iron content in the human body is approximately 4.2 g. Approximately 75-80% of the total iron is found in hemoglobin, 20-25% of iron is in reserve, 5-10% is found in myoglobin, and 1% is found in respiratory enzymes that catalyze respiration processes in cells and tissues.

Iodine in the urine

Iodine is a microelement present in nature in trace amounts. The iodine content in drinking water is insignificant, so the main amount of this microelement enters the human body with food. The highest concentration of iodine is found in seafood (approximately 800 mcg/kg); seaweed is especially rich in iodine.

Copper in the urine

Urine copper testing is used primarily to diagnose and evaluate treatment for Wilson-Konovalov disease. Urinary copper excretion in Wilson-Konovalov disease is usually greater than 100 mcg/day (1.57 μmol/day), but may be lower in young siblings before symptoms develop.

Copper in the blood

Copper is one of the most important essential microelements necessary for human life. The body of an adult contains 1.57-3.14 mmol of copper, with half of this amount being in the muscles and bones, and 10% in the liver tissue.

Chlorides in the urine

The amount of chlorine in urine depends on its content in food. In infants, very little chlorine is excreted in urine, since its content in breast milk is low. The transition to mixed feeding leads to a significant increase in the chlorine content in urine. Its amount in urine increases in accordance with the ever-increasing consumption of table salt.

Chlorides in the blood

The total chlorine content in the body of a healthy person weighing 70 kg is approximately 2000 mmol, i.e. 30 mmol/kg. Chlorine is the main extracellular cation. In the body, it is found mainly in an ionized state, in the form of salts of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc.

Magnesium in the blood

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant element in the human body after potassium, sodium, calcium, and the second most abundant element in the cell after potassium. The human body contains approximately 25 g of magnesium, 60% of which is found in bone tissue, and most of the remaining supply is found in cells. Only 1% of all magnesium is found in extracellular fluid.