Reference Ranges
Clinical Reference
12.0 – 17.5 g/dL
Optimal Range
13.5 – 15.5 g/dL
Critical Range
< 7.0
/
> 20.0
g/dL
Men: 13.5-17.5; Women: 12.0-16.0
Related Conditions
Anemia
Low
Food & Lifestyle Recommendations
🍎 Food
Increase iron-rich foods (red meat, liver, lentils, spinach) and pair with vitamin C foods for absorption
Vitamin C increases non-heme iron absorption by 2-3x
🍎 Food
Avoid tea and coffee with iron-rich meals — tannins inhibit iron absorption
Tannins can reduce iron absorption by 60-70%
Evidence-Backed Supplements
When Low
-
First-line for iron-deficiency anemia
Iron bisglycinate or ferrous fumarate 25–65 mg elemental iron/day On empty stomach or with vitamin C -
Enhances iron absorption when co-administered
Ascorbic acid or liposomal vitamin C 500–2000 mg/day Divided doses -
Treats B12-deficiency anemia (megaloblastic)
Methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin 1000–5000 mcg/day (sublingual preferred) Morning -
Treats folate-deficiency anemia (megaloblastic)
Methylfolate (5-MTHF) 400–1000 mcg/day Morning -
B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia; supplementation corrects if deficiency is the cause
Methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin 1000–5000 mcg/day (sublingual preferred) Morning -
Folate deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia; supplementation with B12 is standard
Methylfolate (5-MTHF) 400–1000 mcg/day Morning -
Copper deficiency impairs iron mobilization and ceruloplasmin function
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What type of anemia do I likely have based on my MCV and ferritin levels? Microcytic = iron deficiency; Macrocytic = B12/folate; Normocytic = chronic disease
- Should I be tested for occult blood loss as a cause of my anemia? GI blood loss is common cause in adults >50
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