Iron is needed for the formation of blood, muscles and enzymes. However, it is needed only in small amounts as the body recycles iron. You can have iron levels that are too high, although this isn't very common, and these high iron levels can damage your liver and other organs.
Causes
High iron levels can be caused by taking iron supplements for too long or in amounts that are too high, suffering from alcoholism and getting multiple blood transfusions. A genetic condition called hemochromatosis can also cause the body to absorb too much iron.
Symptoms
Taking a single dose of iron that is too high can cause you to vomit or have diarrhea.
Symptoms of hemochromatosis vary and often don't show up until middle age. They may include abdominal pain, impotence, fatigue and joint pain.
Effects
Long-term high iron levels can damage the arteries, intestines or organs.
Damage to the liver is one of the more common effects of untreated hemochromatosis. Liver disease, cancer, cirrhosis and liver failure may occur. Other organs, including the pancreas, heart, thyroid and adrenal glands, can also be affected. Some people develop skin pigment abnormalities, arthritis, impotence or early menopause.
Treatment
To prevent damage to the liver from high levels of iron, you need treatment as soon as possible. An iron overdose is often treated by an injection of deferoxamine, which attaches to the excess iron and brings it out of the body through your urine. If the high iron levels are caused by hemochromatosis, bloodletting is the most common cure.
Considerations
If you have hemochromatosis, it is important to get treated early and regularly. Bloodletting can remove the excess iron for a time, but it can't repair the damage that has been caused by the condition before treatment starts. The sooner you get treated, the less damage will be caused to your liver. If you have family members with the condition, a genetic test can indicate whether you are at risk for hemochromatosis.
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