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Manganese, TMPRSS6, and What Your Genotype Means for Mineral Balance

Manganese is an essential trace mineral that supports metabolism, bone strength, immune function, blood clotting, antioxidant defenses, and brain health. Iron is another critical mineral with overlapping absorption pathways in the intestine. Variations in the TMPRSS6 gene can influence iron absorption and indirectly affect manganese levels. This article explains how TMPRSS6 can impact manganese status, practical dietary and lifestyle steps to support balance, and genotype-specific interpretations you can expand below.

How TMPRSS6 Affects Iron and Manganese

The TMPRSS6 gene makes a protein called matriptase-2. Matriptase-2 helps regulate hepcidin, a hormone that controls how much iron the body absorbs and stores. Certain variants in TMPRSS6 change how matriptase-2 works. When matriptase-2 activity is altered, hepcidin levels can shift, leading to higher iron absorption.

Iron and manganese share some intestinal transporters and compete for uptake. Greater iron absorption can reduce manganese absorption in the gut, which may lower blood manganese levels over time. Maintaining a balanced intake of both minerals is the practical focus for most people.

Dietary Strategies

  • Prioritize manganese-rich foods: whole grains (brown rice, oats), nuts (almonds, pecans), seeds, legumes (lentils, chickpeas), leafy greens (spinach, kale), pineapple, blueberries, and spices (cinnamon, cloves).
  • Include iron sources: lean red meat, poultry, seafood, beans, lentils, tofu, and iron-fortified cereals.
  • Pair iron with vitamin C to improve non-heme iron absorption when needed (for example, beans with bell peppers or citrus). Spread iron-rich and manganese-rich meals across the day to reduce direct competition at a single meal.
  • Limit excessive intake of supplemental iron unless prescribed. Too much iron can reduce manganese uptake and cause other health issues.
  • Be mindful of tea and coffee around meals. Tannins can reduce iron absorption but tea can be a good dietary manganese source when consumed between meals.

Supplement Considerations

  • Standard multivitamins typically provide safe, balanced amounts of manganese and iron for most adults. Use them if your diet is inconsistent, but review labels for amounts.
  • Avoid high-dose single-mineral supplements unless recommended by your healthcare provider and informed by blood testing.
  • If you or your provider suspect low manganese or iron, blood tests can guide targeted supplementation and dosing.
  • Discuss interactions with medications and medical conditions before starting supplements. Iron supplements can interact with other minerals and medications.

Lifestyle and Monitoring

  • Maintain a varied diet to reduce the chance of imbalance between iron and manganese.
  • If you have symptoms of low manganese (like coordination problems, bone issues, or changes in glucose metabolism) or iron concerns (fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath), talk with your healthcare provider about testing.
  • Consider periodic blood tests for iron status (serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin) and for manganese when clinically indicated.
  • Avoid occupational or environmental overexposure to manganese, which can cause toxicity in some settings. Use appropriate protections if you work with manganese-containing materials.

Genetic Interpretation

Below are easy-to-understand interpretations for the rs855791 variant in TMPRSS6. Expand the section that applies to your genotype for specific guidance. Remember, PlexusDx provides genetic education only. This information is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making health decisions based on genetic results.

2 effect alleles (GG) — decreased blood manganese levels and higher iron absorption

If your genotype is GG at rs855791, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This version of TMPRSS6 is associated with increased iron absorption due to changes in how matriptase-2 regulates hepcidin. Higher iron uptake can compete with manganese in the intestine, which may reduce manganese absorption and lead to lower blood manganese levels over time.

Practical steps

  • Prioritize manganese-rich foods: whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, leafy greens, pineapple, blueberries, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves.
  • Keep iron intake balanced rather than excessive. If you take iron supplements, do so under medical guidance and only after testing.
  • Space iron-rich meals and manganese-rich meals when possible to reduce direct competition—spread them throughout the day.
  • Consider a standard multivitamin with balanced mineral amounts rather than high-dose single supplements.
  • Ask your clinician about testing iron status (serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin) and manganese if you have symptoms or are concerned.
1 effect allele (AG) — likely decreased blood manganese levels and higher iron absorption

If your genotype is AG at rs855791, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This pattern is associated with a tendency toward increased iron absorption and possibly lower manganese levels compared with people who carry no effect allele. Effects are usually more modest than with two effect alleles.

Practical steps

  • Include a variety of manganese-rich foods in your meals: whole grains, legumes, nuts, leafy greens, pineapple, blueberries, tea, and flavorful spices.
  • Maintain balanced iron intake. Use vitamin C to improve non-heme iron absorption only when you need to raise iron levels, and avoid unnecessary high-dose iron supplements.
  • Consider a balanced multivitamin if your diet is inconsistent. Avoid single high-dose mineral supplements without testing and provider input.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about routine blood tests if you have symptoms related to low manganese or iron imbalance.
0 effect alleles (AA) — typical TMPRSS6 function and typical manganese levels

If your genotype is AA at rs855791, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This pattern is associated with typical matriptase-2 function and usual hepcidin regulation, meaning your iron absorption and manganese uptake are likely to follow common population patterns without a genetic tendency toward increased iron absorption from this variant.

Practical steps

  • Continue a balanced diet with manganese-rich choices: whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, leafy greens, and fruits.
  • Include regular sources of iron such as lean meats, beans, lentils, tofu, and fortified cereals as appropriate for your dietary preferences.
  • Monitor symptoms and work with your provider on testing only if clinically indicated. Routine supplementation is rarely needed if you have a varied diet.

When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

  • If you are considering high-dose iron or manganese supplements.
  • If you have symptoms that could reflect iron deficiency or overload, or neurologic or bone symptoms that raise concern for manganese issues.
  • If you have a medical condition, take medications, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to start a new supplement regimen.
  • For personalized interpretation of genetic results in the context of your full medical history and lab testing.

PlexusDx provides genetic education and information about predispositions. This content is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to diet, supplements, or medical care based on genetic results.