Iron, a mineral commonly found in foods like whole grains, eggs and lean red meat, helps your blood cells carry oxygen, reports the MedlinePlus encyclopedia published by the National Institutes of Health. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the average male adult needs approximately 8 mg a day. Meanwhile, women need approximately 18 mg a day until age 50, after which they only need 8 mg. If you're getting too much iron, you may experience several negative side effects.
Black Teeth
Excess iron supplementation may cause your teeth to take on a dark or blackened color, especially if you're taking the iron in liquid form, warns the National Institutes of Health.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Discomfort in the digestive tract area and abdomen may occur if you consume too much iron, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements. This may include nausea, abdominal pain, constipation--or adversely, diarrhea--and vomiting.
General Body Distress
Within one to six hours of consuming excess iron, your body may begin to exhibit general signs of distress, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at the Oregon State University. This includes a general feeling of lethargy, low blood pressure and a weaker pulse. If this continues, the institute says you may also experience difficulty breathing and may enter a coma state.
Organ Failure
Within 48 hours of taking too much iron, your body's organs may begin to fail. The two organ systems generally affected are the liver and the kidneys, reports the Linus Pauling Institute. It may also sometimes affect your cardiovascular system, such as your heart. If you have had a bariatric surgery or suffer from iron-poor blood, see your doctor to adjust supplementation, as you may need to take more than your daily recommended requirements.
Medication Interactions
High levels of iron supplementation may affect the efficacy of several forms of prescription medications, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. This includes high blood pressure medications and drugs designed for the treatment of osteoporosis. Such drugs may even be affected by standard iron dosages, so talk to your doctor before taking iron-containing vitamins or supplements if you're on a medication regimen.
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