What is Ferritin?
Ferritin is a protein that accumulates iron (Fe) in its soluble, nontoxic form and sends it to required organs. Iron plays several vital roles in our bodies and supports red blood cell formation and energy production in different areas. Ferritin is a vital part of Fe’s ability to perform different essential functions in our bodies.
Elevated Ferritin Marker and Floxies
A ferritin test is vital to know how much iron is stored in your body. Floxies have a complex system and have to deal with mitochondrial damage for most parts of the condition. Ferritin tests can help floxies find out if blood protein levels are through the roof (elevated) or low (iron deficiency).
Floxies with abnormally low Fe levels could be anemic, but many floxies usually have elevated ferritin levels. Elevated ferritin in floxies leads to a condition that causes too much storage of iron in the body. Excess ferritin can also result in chronic inflammation and set off multiple inflammatory markers in floxies.
Most doctors that run ferritin marker tests will be able to suggest or diagnose anemia, hemochromatosis, or Adult Still’s disease. The uniqueness of being floxed means floxies might experience more conditions from elevated ferritin levels.
Iron Storage in Cells and Floxies
When cells suffer damage to their mitochondria, several functions get affected and alter how such structural units behave. In most cases, iron storage is adversely affected in cells due to depletion by disease or excess intake.
Low iron storage is tagged iron deficiency and leads to anemia. Being anemic exposes such individuals to a barrage of health problems if no urgent medical care is administered. Doctors may evaluate other test results to know how much assistance is needed for balanced iron intake and storage.
Excess iron storage in floxies can create a ‘rusting effect’. The rusting effect is common in floxies based on their compromised mitochondria and massively affects their cell-generation capacity.
How Many Mitochondria are in Each Cell?
The total number of mitochondria in each cell makes up what’s called a chondriosome. Humans have identical cell structures and could have thousands of mitochondria in each cell.
It’s worth noting that the population of mitochondria in a cell varies according to the type of organ. Mitochondrion does a lot more than to support energy production in our bodies. Every mitochondria is responsible for expending oxygen and amassing iron for cluster and hematin (red oxygen-binding pigment) formation.
Is Iron a Major Storage Component for Mitochondria?
Iron is stored in the mitochondria and is distributed by ferritin present in human cells. Mitochondria store iron to aid oxygen transport and (adenosine triphosphate) ATP synthesis.
Impaired iron storage could lead to heightened dependence on glucose in a cell. If such happens, there will be unfavorable cellular adaptations that could cause severe health problems.
What Happens to Floxies with Too Much Iron In their Bodies?
Excess iron in a human’s mitochondria causes a condition called hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis becomes problematic when cells store more iron than necessary for bonding and oxygen use.
The condition usually affects specific organs in its initial stages and can spread pretty quickly if not addressed. Having too much iron stored in organs can affect the heart, liver, and pancreas of humans. Neglected hemochromatosis can also lead to heart problems, liver diseases, and diabetes.
Reactive Oxygen Species and Iron Storage
In biology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are by-products of oxygen’s normal metabolism. ROS usually play vital roles in how cell signaling and homeostasis (mechanisms that offset disruptive cell changes) work.
Generation of ROS, especially in unique individuals like floxies, could provoke multiple cell organelle damage. Sustained ROS in a cell could lead to an altered physiology and affect most body functions.
How Can Normal Iron Homeostasis Help Floxies?
Imbalanced iron homeostasis causes anemia and hemochromatosis in humans. Regulating iron homeostasis is vital to suppress inflammatory stimuli and regulate responses to infections. Recent studies have shown that tweaking hepcidin levels can reduce serum irons and stop invading pathogens.
Regulated iron homeostasis is important for floxies based on the unique state of their cells and immune system. Balanced iron intake is vital to the formation of a healthy template for iron homeostasis.
Is Iron Deficiency Bad for Floxies?
Iron overload is bad for floxies too, as evidence points to excess Fe being responsible for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.
It is important for floxies to get their iron supply up to aid oxygen bonding and aid energy production. However, it is also vital to regulate your iron intake to avoid overdosing on iron supplements and Fe-high foods.
Floxies should rely on advice from a certified medical practitioner to help regulate their iron intake to avoid issues.
What is an Oxalate?
Oxalates are naturally-occurring compounds commonly found in plants. These plant-based compounds are usually consumed with foods high in calcium oxalates and can form crystals. Most common forms of calcium oxalates can be spotted with an Organic Acids Test.
Can Oxalates Develop in a Cell?
Neglected oxalate crystals can form in kidneys, muscles, tendons, and the mitochondria of a living cell. Development of oxalic acid as crystals in certain areas leads to severe inflammation in many cases.
What Do Oxalates Cause?
Small oxalate crystals can be flushed out from the kidneys through urine. However, larger oxalate crystals could merge with iron present in cells and form larger crystals.
These larger crystals can cause kidney stones capable of damaging a fully-developed kidney. The damage could lead to renal failure. High oxalate crystal formation can also lead to chronic pain, fatigue, dizziness, and intermittent cramps.
Conclusion
Floxies need to get extensive laboratory testing to determine their iron levels and possible oxalate formations. You can engage two tests – ferritin marker and organic acids test – and get clear results.
It’s worth noting that monitoring and solving issues with your overall health is key as a member of the Floxed community. Your total recovery could depend on it.