The mineral iron regulates cell growth and maintains oxygen transport. The body is able to store iron for later use when iron intake becomes too low. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, approximately two-thirds of the iron in the body is found in red blood cells. The rest is stored in myoglobin, or muscle tissue; proteins; and enzymes.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein that gives red blood cells their color and enables them to bind with oxygen to deliver to body tissues. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not contain enough red blood cells due to insufficient hemoglobin production. A lack of iron in the body causes insufficient hemoglobin production. According to MayoClinic.com, blood loss is the most common cause of iron-deficiency anemia in the United States. Other causes include lack of sufficient dietary intake of iron or an ability to properly absorb iron due to underlying medical conditions.
Symptoms
Very mild stages of iron deficiency anemia do not usually cause any physical symptoms. As iron stores become significantly depleted, it can lead to fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, cold hands and feet, brittle nails, irregular heartbeat, poor appetite, and pale skin and gums, according to MayoClinic.com.
Treatment
Supplementation with iron tablets is the best way to correct iron deficiency anemia. According to MayoClinic.com, supplements should be taken for several months to replenish iron stores in the body and completely correct the deficiency. If iron-deficiency anemia is severe or due to extensive blood loss, blood transfusions may be used to replenish iron stores and hemoglobin quickly.
Iron Overload
Iron overload, also referred to as hemochromatosis, occurs when the body contains excessive amounts of iron. Over time, the excess iron in the body accumulates in the major organs and tissues. Most cases of iron overload are caused by a genetic disorder in which iron absorption is poorly controlled. In less-common circumstances, diets rich in iron or supplements that contain high amounts of iron can lead to iron overload.
Symptoms
Initial symptoms of iron overload include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, stomach pain and joint pain. As the condition progresses and iron levels continue to build, it can cause absence of menstruation, decreased libido, shortness of breath and loss of body hair, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. If left untreated, iron overload can damage the organs, causing cirrhosis, high blood sugar, diabetes, irregular heartbeat, arthritis or heart failure.
Treatment
Treatment for iron overload consists of removing blood from the body, a procedure called phlebotomy. Initial phases of treatment include blood removal one to two times per week. When iron levels return to normal, blood will only need to be removed once every three to six months.
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