More children under the age of 6 die from iron overdoses than from any other form of poisoning, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Children usually overdose on their parents' multivitamins or iron supplements, and the problem is so pervasive that iron supplement manufacturers have changed the design of their supplements to make them look less like candy. Adult men and post-menopausal women are also at risk for overdosing on iron, but iron poisoning is uncommon in women of childbearing years, because of the iron loss associated with menstruation. Symptoms of iron overdose generally follow a specific chronology, and in cases of severe overdose death can occur up to a week after ingestion.
Stage One
Even taking iron supplements as prescribed can cause immediate side effects, including constipation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. It is important to distinguish these symptoms from symptoms of an overdose. Symptoms of an iron overdose generally begin to appear within six hours of ingestion. In cases of severe overdose, you can lapse into a coma within 30 minutes of ingestion. Other early symptoms include vomiting, blood in the vomit or stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain, irritability, drowsiness, seizures, rapid respiration, increased heart rate and low blood pressure. Flushing or loss of color in the face and a bluish tinge in the tips of the fingers and the lips are also common.
Stage Two
After initial symptoms have presented, they often abate during stage two only to return a day or two later. If symptoms abate and don't reappear for 48 hours after the overdose, the prognosis is generally good.
Stage Three
Stage three can begin anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after iron ingestion. It is characterized by extremely low blood pressure, internal bleeding, jaundice, liver failure, seizures and depressed blood sugar levels.
Stage Four
Confusion, lethargy and coma are common in stage four, which can begin anywhere from two to five days after ingestion when the liver fails. Blood clotting abnormalities, bleeding and shock associated with liver failure can cause death.
Stage Five
Stage five occurs after recovery has begun and is generally seen two to five weeks after the overdose. When the stomach and intestines begin to heal they form scar tissue, which can interfere with normal functions, causing abdominal pain and cramping.
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