Iron deficiency anemia

[freedomx2]

Hello, I have been diagnosed with anemia, but my problem got lost in translation as I am currently living in Germany.  Although my doctor's English is quite good, I don't understand completely what he told me.  He mentioned something about my blood being at 10 and it should be at  at least 16 which makes my anemia severe, but not bad enough to have a transfusion, just bad enough that I will probably be taking iron pills for the rest of my life.  Can someone help me understand what the 10 and 16 mean please? thanks.

[freedomx2]

Thanks.  it still doesn't make much sense, but at least i have somewhere to start the research :)  thanks again

[Red_Star]

Reference ranges vary from lab to lab but wikipedia states normal reference ranges are:

Serum iron: Male 65–177 μg/dL (11.6–31.7 μmol/L)
Female 50–170 μg/dL (9.0–30.4 μmol/L)

TIBC: 250–370 μg/dL (45-66 μmol/L)

Transferrin saturation:
Male 20–50%; Female 15–50%

Serum ferritin:
Male 20-250 μg/L, Female 15-150 μg/L

You mention 10 and i assume this is your iron serum result but may be ferritin. Either way you want to be in the upper end of the range.