Iron is an essential mineral for the body. Consume too little of iron and you’ll feel tired and get sick more often. Consume too much – especially in the form of supplements – and other problems may arise. That’s why it’s important to eat a balanced diet and have your iron level checked before you take a supplement.
The dangers of iron deficiency:
Health statistics indicate that one in 10 American women and children is deficient in iron. Diets low in iron are a major cause. In women, heavy menstrual periods are another. Adolescent girls, who tend to eat poorly and diet excessively, are at particular risk. So are some women athletes, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (they need extra iron), strict vegetarians, and the elderly (who often don’t eat enough iron-rich foods). Iron deficiency is uncommon in men and postmenopausal women.
When you don’t get enough iron, the body draws on its stores of the mineral. When those stores run out, iron-deficiency anemia results – a condition that requires medical treatment. People who are anemic can’t make enough hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells that supplies oxygen to the tissues.
Even subtle iron deficiency may cause problems. Recent studies have shown that in children and adolescents, mild deficits lessen their ability to learn and solve problems. In adults, small deficiencies have been linked to lethargy, weakness, and fatigue.
The dangers of iron overload:
Too much iron is just as dangerous as too little. Medical experts say that if you have hemachromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes you to absorb too much iron, taking an iron supplement can be deadly. Iron overload may lead to liver damage. And some scientists believe that too much iron may increase the risk of heart disease and possibly cancer. Excess iron may also contribute to joint pain experienced by some women following menopause.
Never take an iron supplement except under the advice of your doctor. He or she should check your iron level with a transferrin saturation test or a ferritin test. If you are deficient, the doctor will need to rule out such causes as internal bleeding due to arthritis drugs or gastrointestinal cancer.
Here is a list of four of the most common problems associated in being iron-deficient and in having too much iron, and their symptoms:
1. Iron deficiency – Often no symptoms, although maximum physical performance may be somewhat impaired.
2. Anemia – Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, paleness, breathlessness, and irregular or fast heartbeat.
3. Excess iron – Early symptoms include fatigue and joint pain. Advanced symptoms include diabetes, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver.
4. Iron-supplement poisoning – Symptoms include diarrhea (possibly bloody), nausea, stomach pain, sharp cramping, and severe vomiting.
Remember to keep all supplements that contain iron away from children. If you suspect an overdose, don’t wait for symptoms; call a poison control center right away.
Finally, if you suspect you have an iron deficiency or overload, see a doctor immediately.