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Difference between Haemoglobin and Iron

Difference between Haemoglobin and Iron

Iron is an essential nutrient that helps the body form red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The amount of iron and haemoglobin in the blood can be a good indicator of how well your body is functioning. There are many factors that can affect the levels of iron and haemoglobin in your blood, including diet, age, and health conditions. Understanding the difference between haemoglobin and iron can help you better understand your blood test results and make informed choices about your health.

What is Haemoglobin?

Haemoglobin (Hb) is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. The haemoglobin molecule is made up of four iron atoms, which give it its characteristic red colour. When oxygen binds to haemoglobin, it changes the shape of the molecule and this change can be detected by a blood test. The amount of haemoglobin in your blood is a good indicator of how well your body is able to transport oxygen.

What is Iron?

Iron is a mineral that is found in food and supplements. It is an essential nutrient that the body needs to make haemoglobin. The body stores iron in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. When the body needs more haemoglobin, it will release iron from these stores. Iron is also a part of many enzymes and plays a role in immunity and cell growth.

Difference between Haemoglobin and Iron

The main difference between haemoglobin and iron is that haemoglobin is a protein and iron is a mineral. Haemoglobin contains iron, but iron does not necessarily contain haemoglobin. The body needs both haemoglobin and iron to function properly.

Conclusion

Haemoglobin and iron are two important terms that are often confused. Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron, on the other hand, is a mineral that is essential for the production of haemoglobin. Although they are both necessary for the transport of oxygen in the body, they have different functions. By understanding the difference between haemoglobin and iron, you can ensure that you are getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.

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