Is it possible to ingest too much iron

Make sure to follow the instructions on iron supplements, and never take more than your doctor recommends. Gradually, the excess iron accumulates in internal organs, causing potentially fatal damage to the brain and liver. The long-term ingestion of high-dose supplements may gradually cause symptoms similar to iron overload, which is discussed more below. Iron toxicity refers to the harmful effects of excess iron. It may occur when 1 people overdose on iron supplements, 2 take high-dose supplements for too long or 3 suffer from a chronic iron overload disorder.

Iron overload refers to the gradual build up of too much iron in the body. For most people, iron overload is not a concern. However, it is a problem for those who are genetically predisposed to excessive absorption of iron from the digestive tract.

The most common iron overload disorder is hereditary hemochromatosis. This leads to the build up of iron in tissues and organs 7 , Over time, untreated hemochromatosis increases the risk of arthritis, cancer, liver problems, diabetes and heart failure The body has no easy way to dispose of extra iron.

The most effective way to get rid of excess iron is blood loss. Therefore, menstruating women are less likely to experience iron overload. Likewise, those who donate blood frequently are at lower risk. However, if you have not been diagnosed with iron overload, reducing your iron intake is generally not recommended. Iron overload is characterized by excessive amounts of iron in the body.

The most common disorder is hereditary hemochromatosis, which may lead to many health problems. This is not a concern for most people. There is no doubt that iron overload may lead to cancer in both animals and humans 12 , It appears that regular blood donation or blood loss may reduce this risk Observational studies suggest that a high intake of heme iron may increase the risk of colon cancer 15 , Clinical trials in humans have shown that heme iron from supplements or red meat may increase the formation of cancer-causing N-nitroso compounds in the digestive tract 17 , The association of red meat and cancer is a hotly-debated topic.

Although there are some plausible mechanisms explaining this link, most of the evidence is based on observational studies. Iron overload disorders have been linked with an increased risk of cancer. Studies also suggest that heme-iron may raise the risk of colon cancer. Both iron overload and iron deficiency appear to make people more susceptible to infection 19 , There are two reasons for this 21 :.

Several studies indicate that iron supplementation may increase the frequency and severity of infections, although a few studies found no effects 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , People with hereditary hemochromatosis are also more susceptible to infections For patients at a high risk of infection, iron supplementation should be a well-grounded decision.

All potential risks should be taken into account. Iron overload and high-dose iron supplementation may increase the risk of infection in certain individuals. However, unless you have an iron overload disorder, you generally do not need to worry about getting too much iron from your diet.

Iron supplementation is another story. It benefits those who suffer from iron deficiency, but may cause harm in those who are not iron-deficient. Some claim that coffee and other caffeinated beverages can interfere with iron absorption. This article explains how coffee and caffeine affect iron…. If you're not getting enough iron, you may develop iron-deficiency anemia. Here are 10 signs and symptoms that you're deficient in iron. Without enough red blood cells, the body may not be able to get enough oxygen to stay healthy.

Women tend to be at risk for low iron during their child-bearing years because their bodies use and lose a good deal of iron through pregnancy, breast-feeding and menstruation. With that in mind, the recommended daily intake of iron for women ages 19 to 50 is 18 milligrams. After a woman stops menstruating, the requirement goes down considerably to about 8 milligrams of iron a day.

The best way to get the iron your body needs is in your diet. Other foods rich in iron include beans, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, eggs and iron-fortified breads, pastas and cereals.

Iron that comes from foods other than meat cannot be absorbed into your body as easily as iron from meat. Citrus fruits can help with iron absorption, though. After that, symptoms may appear to improve for a day or so.

After those early symptoms, other serious complications can develop within 48 hours after the iron overdose, such as:. If you suspect your child has iron poisoning or any type of poisoning from a medication or supplement overdose, call This can be a life-threatening emergency. Iron poisoning always requires emergency room evaluation.

That same information is important for adults who may have iron poisoning. The condition is less common in adults than in children. But if it happens, a fast response is also necessary. Treating iron poisoning often involves a procedure called whole bowel irrigation. A special solution is swallowed or given through a tube that is passed through the nose and down into the stomach.

The solution helps flush the body of the excess iron. In very serious cases, chelation may be necessary. This is a procedure in which a chemical that helps bind iron and other metals in the body is given through an intravenous IV line. The iron then can be passed out of the body through the urine.

Other treatments include rehydration, especially if there has been a great loss of fluids through vomiting and diarrhea. If breathing is difficult, a breathing tube and a ventilation machine may be needed to get respiration back to normal. Elemental iron is the amount of iron actually in a supplement.

Most causes of iron poisoning occur when a person, usually a child, simply swallows too many iron supplements or vitamins. An expectant mother often takes iron supplements during pregnancy. If these are left around the house, they can become targets of curious children.

But iron supplements or multivitamins of any kind can be dangerous to children. With the popularity of gummy and chewable vitamins for adults, the risk of accidental poisoning is even higher.

In response, vitamin manufacturers have started making prenatal iron supplements and similar vitamins in tablets that look less like candy than they did years ago. If you take iron supplements because your doctor recommends them, be sure you know what to do if you miss a dose.

If there are children in your house, keep iron supplements in child-proof containers and away from any youngsters. Bleeding or blood clot problems may also develop during this time.

This can cause major digestive problems. Permanent scarring of the liver, known as cirrhosis , can also follow iron poisoning. The most common causes of death resulting from iron poisoning are liver failure and shock to the circulatory system.