The human body is made up of many systems that function simultaneously. This system is made up of cells and organs to function. This allows people to survive in different environments and conditions that affect their lives. One of the systems, known as the circulatory system, ensures the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the body at the cellular level. Also, waste products are excreted from the body. The blood system includes not only 10,000 kilometers of blood vessels, but also the heart, which is the engine. In order for your cardiovascular system to function efficiently, it is important to take care of your health. Hepcidin is a hormone produced by the liver and secreted into the blood system. It is thought to be a major regulator of systemic iron homeostasis, influencing red blood cell production. It helps maintain iron balance in the body by controlling how efficiently the body uses its iron supply. Iron is required for the production of hemoglobin, a protein within red blood cells. Hemoglobin is important for red blood cells to transport oxygen in the blood from the lungs to tissues.
What does hepcidin do in the body? Hepcidin regulates iron levels in the body by interfering with the process by which the body absorbs iron. Hepcidin acts on a protein called ferroportin. Iron exporters work by acquiring iron and moving it between cells. When hepcidin acts on ferroportin, it induces its breakdown or breakdown, which prevents iron from entering the bloodstream and being absorbed in the small intestine. o This mechanism makes hepcidin an iron regulator. In addition to regulating iron absorption, it also releases stored iron from the liver cells (hepatocytes) and small intestine (enterocytes). For example, if a person suffers from low oxygen levels (hypoxia), the body needs oxygen to recover from this condition. When oxygen levels are low, hepcidin levels decrease. This allows ferroportin to transport more iron into the bloodstream to form hemoglobin. As hemoglobin increases, oxygen transport also increases. This prevents your body from absorbing too much iron. Excess iron can cause life-threatening illnesses, including heart and liver problems.
Another function of hepcidin is to recycle iron within macrophages. Macrophages are white blood cells that work to remove old red blood cells. Macrophages bind iron from the hemoglobin of old red blood cells and destroy it. After about four months, the iron from the dead red blood cells is recycled and can be reused. In addition to macrophages, the spleen and liver are also involved in iron utilization. Hepcidin plays an important role in iron maintenance, as dietary iron is sufficient to compensate for small amounts of iron loss. Lost iron is found in skin cells (epithelium) and red blood cells are excreted in urine or feces. o Since hepcidin is associated with the blood system, changes in this hormone can help understand certain diseases such as iron deficiency anemia. Hepcidin is actually involved in iron deficiency anemia. Low hepcidin levels mean your body cannot optimally absorb the iron it needs.
This is in contrast to high hepcidin levels. This often occurs with non-iron deficiency anemia, such as due to chronic disease. Chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease and chronic infections can cause high levels of hepcidin. Under these conditions, hepcidin production is not regulated by the body’s iron status and is influenced by the stimulation of chemicals called cytokines. Cytokines are products of the body’s immune response that cause changes in cells. It is noteworthy that hepcidin levels correspond to ferritin levels. This means that if your hepcidin levels are high, your ferritin levels will also be high.
It can be concluded that hepcidin is an important hormone in the circulatory system. Changes in hepcidin levels should be considered a clear sign of an underlying medical condition. Hepcidin is often stimulated by excess iron. A blood test is usually the easiest way to measure hepcidin levels in the body. Anemia can have many causes and symptoms can be similar, so it’s important to see your doctor. Knowing the root cause of anemia can help determine the appropriate treatment. In order to live a healthy life, it is important to have regular health checkups. Even if there is something abnormal, you can receive early diagnosis and treatment. If you plan to take supplements to improve your cardiovascular health, you should consult your doctor, especially if you have other chronic conditions or are taking other medications.
