Facts About Iron Overload

Iron is vital for living cells. It is required for oxygen transport, electron transport, DNA synthesis and cytochrome P-450 enzyme oxidative metabolism. However, sometimes the body may have an over abundance of iron. Iron overload is a severe chronic disease when the body takes in entirely too much iron and substantial iron buildup occurs in organ tissues, such as liver or heart tissue.

Causes

• A genetic disorder can cause iron overload in some patients. A few patients may develop iron overload from receiving numerous blood transfusions, or by acute or chronic iron poisoning.

Symptoms

• Early warning signs of iron overload are fatigue, weight loss, joint pain, abdominal pain and weakness. These symptoms may appear with other conditions, so additional blood work can identify this disorder. If not treated, iron overload may cause arthritis, liver problems, diabetes, heart problems, heart failure and gray or bronze-colored skin.

Detection

• There are two blood tests to detect iron overload, serum ferritin or transferrin saturation tests. Both blood tests measure the level of iron in the blood.

Treatment

• Treatment for iron overload is periodically removing blood from the patient's arm, similar to donating blood. About 500 ml of blood is removed a week until iron levels return to normal.

Self-Care Tips

• Patients should exercise at least 30 minutes every day. Check your iron in your body regularly. Avoid taking multivitamins, iron pills or supplements containing iron. Do not consume more than 500 mg of vitamin C. Though, you may eat food with iron and vitamin C.