Iron is a mineral whose primary function is to carry oxygen in the body, by way of hemoglobin in the blood and of myoglobin in the muscles. The body increases or decreases iron absorption according to its need. Including vitamin C -ascorbic acid in one’s daily meal increases iron absorption. The body absorbs iron better when iron stores are anyway low, or pregnancy. At the same time one should also be aware of iron’s toxic ability to harm an individual.
Iron-deficiency leads to anemia. And the symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, concentration problems, dizziness, a weakened immune system, and energy loss are generally observed. This happens because the amount of hemoglobin in the bloodstream gets reduced and since oxygen is not efficiently transported to tissues and organs throughout the body the symptoms start to surface.
The first effect of iron overdose is irritation and ulceration of the stomach lining. Which in turn can results in nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting after around 20 minutes of ingestion. When too much iron gets into the bloodstream, it goes to all the organs and can damage the stomach, liver, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels and brain.
Another thing worth keeping in mind while we are discussing anemia is that an individual may actually be iron-loaded and need iron removed despite the anemia. The anemia should be treated with B vitamins, especially B12, B6 and folic acid. Many patients with anemia are dying of iron overload, because their doctors prescribe more iron, which is actually works against them.
People, especially the older lot have been seen to overdose on iron. It is important to keep in mind that excess iron is a greater risk than iron deficiency. In a survey done in the US, it was found that more patients complaint of excessive intake of iron than its deficiency.
Iron overdose can damage heart and brain and other storage sites in the body and lead to heart attack or stroke. People suffering from Haemochromatosis also face many such problems. This situation is generally seen in men above 35 and postmenopausal women. In this condition the body has no way to get rid of excess iron. And this excess iron storage can lead to atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Severe iron overload, which causes liver and heart damage, can occur in people suffering from haemochromatosis. The symptoms include skin pigmentation, diabetes, enlargement of the spleen and liver, heart failure, and general weakness and lassitude.
If iron overdose is reported one should immediately contact the Poison Control Center, even if the patient is doing fine. It is for the poison specialist to decide if treatment is necessary or not. Treatment for overdose of iron or iron poisoning may include removing iron from the stomach. Another way to treat iron overdose is by giving a chelating agent, which binds up the iron in the bloodstream, and helps eliminate excessive iron from the body.
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I really must thank you enlightening me on the purpose or function of iron in the body. I will remember when I mention iron to my clients it plays such an important part.
Its also interesting to note that on the symptom of anemia mentioned and how to avoid it.
I have been feeling dizzy lately and a few of those symptoms are present in my condition. I shall have to go for a blood test and check my iron levels out as well as my LDL and HDL levels next week. thanks Claude
I am very thank full to you for such an important and usefull post about function of iron and the symptom of anemia.
thanks
smith
I am recovering from iron overdose from supplements because they were recommended (but obviously not necessary). My symptoms included nausea, stomach aches and vomiting. Thankfully I was able to find what these where symptoms of before there was further and more fatal signs. I stopped taking them 4 days ago & my nausea is almost gone. (I still get a little nauseous with iron rich foods.)
It is crucial that we educate ourselves of possible side effects of all vitamins & supplements so we are aware when they occur.
Thanks,
Laura
It seems that the symptoms of iron overdose are the same as iron deficiency. How does a person know which is which? On my blood draw under “complete blood count” CBC
HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, are all low. But EOSIN % Auto is high (slightly) What does that mean? What are the accuall words for the abreviations listed above? Also, does a loss of blood due to severe menstral bleeding cause an iron overdose or loss? Can these things also affect your cholesterol levels? If so can they affect certain kinds of cholesterol? Who should I ask? Doctors are all in such a hurry it is hard to get them to stop long enough to talk to you.
Will iron overdose can kill a man. How it is possible.
I am a 35yr women who in her teen was told have ‘begining of anemia’ now is anemia. This page has open my eyes! After been told by my physician a week a go that I have amenia I felt blind folded. Not knowing what cause it and what are the symptoms of anemia? What those it matter if any? I told the dr. can I just eat food with iron instead of those horrible pills? The Dr. open her eyes wide and say ‘No, you have to take iron!’ Of course I whent my marri way. Oh yeah, whatever, this ‘Iron’ is going to give me more problem than anything. I AM sooooooooo HAPPY you wrote this articulo on Iron overdose and the symptoms of having anemia. After reading your articulo NOW I understand WHY I shortness of breath, was tired, fatigue, palpitation and moreover I COULD NOT CONCENTRATED AND FOCUS. JEEZZZZZ!!! Would it have hurt my Dr. to let me know this little secret like why and what.
and lots of water creast, beets, lentils, and ONLY one dose of the liquide Iron. I like this better, than Iron day in and day out. At least this way I can still have milk and cheese… smiling
Well now that I went crazy and vent I feel even better… LOL
Thank You sooooooooo muchhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
Now I prescribe my self: B12 and B6am, Orange to help absorbe
Just be careful because the liquid iron can stain your teeth. Unless there is a specific reason not to, take the pills.
We’re all so afraid of death. We humans will do almost anything to get away from it. We’ll even log onto a computer to help delay our inevitable death. The fear we all have of death is so severe and strong.
The author of this article really needs to take some writing lessons. It’s full of grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes.
I’m taking supplements how long does it takes to get an over dose of iron? I’m taking at between 200% and 300% a day. Because, I read that some of the iron taken doesn’t actually get absorbed by the body and also believe that I might be deficient. so what I’m asking is how long would one continue taking iron before it becomes detrimental?
Take Carbonyl Iron and stay away from the sulfates. I have been taking 3 a day, then down to 2 a day with a blood builder from Wellness resources.com . After reading this I may take it down to 1 a day with the blood builder or just the blood builder to see how I feel. I just started having some nausia after taking my vitamins. Also, if you take several your best bet is to divy it out 2-3 times a day so your body can absorb it better.
wtf randy why are u talking abouy death and i think im on iron overdose
I’m not afraid of death, just terrible pain. I generally enjoy life.
Thanks for the information. U haven’t mentioned how mg of Fe causes overdose???
Who wrote this article, a retard? The information is good, I guess, but I hope that English is your second language. So many mistakes….. So hard to take seriously….. Also… Jesus Christ, the women who made comments on this article are also retarded… lol…
you made a comment and you read it…..whos the retard now…..
I started taking 325 mg iron 3 times a day via doctor’s orders. The second night after taking the iron I had severe leg cramps from the thigh all the way down to the toes, both legs at the same time. The pain was excruciating. Has any one had leg cramps when taking too much iron supplement? Would love to hear from you. Thank you.
Sandi,
Leg cramps are a known symptom of iron imbalance. Other vitamin and mineral imbalances could be the cause as well…I previously had severe leg cramps from hypokalemia (low potassium). If you’re still experiencing pain, talk with your doctor. (but of course you know that)
I have suffered from severe leg cramps for years. I read in a book that, sometimes, it can be connected to iron deficiencies. I have been free of leg cramps since I increased my iron intake via iron supplements. I would suggest in your case that you talk to your doctor so that you are balanced correctly. Good luck.
Thank you for providing this information.
Thank you very much for these useful informations, please also guide me what I should do in case of Excessive iron especially natural food.
Please note that 325mg of ferrous sulfate has 65 mg of elemental iron (according to webmd) and that some packages only list the amount of iron in the elemental state and not how many mg of the type of ferrous and your healthcare provider may only tell you the mg for the ferrous you should be taking. It is very confusing! Which makes overdosing very easy! You may be overdosing if you are reading a label that says Iron (as ferrous sulfate) 47.5 and thinking that you are having to multiply the amount to get up to 325mg.
I just realized it when I switched brands and it was labeled differently stating that it was IRON 65mg and in small letters underneath reads equal to 325 mg of ferrous sulfate! We have been giving my mother too much iron even after questioning 2 different doctors and several different nurses over the last 3 weeks if I wasn’t giving her too much…even though I showed the nurse and doctor at one visit the packaging. Unfortunately, he told us we could even give her more so my dh thought that would be a great idea, make her stronger quicker. Even the last visit when her liver enzymes were high and her mental confusion had increased they were not concerned that I could be overdosing her. We had told the nurse how many we were giving her and she said it seemed like a lot but the doctor just hurried through the conversation, worried about why she was anemic…which may end up being a problem as she is being tested…but wqe haven’t helped her liver much!) She doesn’t express pain and hasn’t had the stomach pains (only a cramp once or twice but we thought she ate something with lactose in it (cheese). Interestingly, she tells us she doesn’t want the iron and tells us she can’t eat anymore after a few bites, and even one time told us she had seen the doctor and he told her to only take one pill at each meal (she hadn’t but it would have been the correct dose instead of 3-5 each meal). We couldn’t understand why she would complain about a small, little pill that isn’t even bitter since she swallows it! I have a call in to her physician as of more than an hour ago and they have yet to call me back! I read on another post somewhere to give her lentils, watercress and oranges to help with chelation.