A Dr. Anthony Komaroff, MD, Internal Medicine, answered. The innate immune system is first and best known for a family of white blood cells called phagocytes, which reside very close to the layer of epithelial cells that line much of the body's surface. Dr. Anthony Komaroff, MD, Internal Medicine, answered. The innate immune system is first and best known for a family of white blood cells called phagocytes, which reside very close to the layer of epithelial cells that line much of the body's surface.
The iron content of the body is highly conserved (Bothwell et al 1979). To achieve iron balance, adult men need to absorb about 1 mg/day and adult menstruating women about 1.5 mg/day, although this is highly variable. Towards the end of pregnancy, the absorption of 4-5 mg/day is necessary. Requirements are higher during periods of rapid growth in early childhood and adolescence.
1 Red blood cell size and color. 2  With iron deficiency anemia, red blood cells are smaller and paler in color than normal. 3  Hematocrit. 4  This is the percentage of your blood volume made up by red blood cells. 5  Normal levels are generally between 34.9 and 44.5 percent for adult women and 38.8 to 50 percent for adult men. Hemoglobin. 2  Lower than normal hemoglobin levels indicate anemia. 3  The normal hemoglobin range is generally defined as 13.5 to 17.5 grams (g) of hemoglobin per deciliter (dL) of blood for men and 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL for women. 4  The normal ranges for children vary depending on the child's age and sex. 5  Ferritin.