Iron is an essential mineral your body needs to function normally on a daily basis. An estimated 80 percent of people throughout the world are iron deficient, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. If you're one of these people, your doctor may recommend treatment with an iron supplement to help boost the levels of iron in your blood. Despite the potential benefits of iron supplements, taking too much iron may be toxic to your body.
Causes
As an adult, symptoms of iron toxicity may arise if you take more than 45 mg of iron each day. Children between the ages of 7 months and 13 years should not take more than 40 mg of iron daily to limit their risk of developing iron toxicity. Long-term treatment with high doses of iron supplements may also cause iron accumulation in your body and may induce toxicity symptoms. If you believe you or your child has taken too much iron, contact a doctor immediately to ensure receipt of prompt and appropriate care.
Symptoms
Unusually high levels of iron in the body may cause a variety of symptoms. An overdose of iron severely irritates your digestive tract and may cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. Intestinal damage resulting from iron toxicity may also yield blood in your stools or vomit. Iron toxicity may also cause a sudden decrease in your blood pressure or dehydration, MedlinePlus warns. Your fingernails or lips may appear blue in color or your skin may become unusually flushed or pale. Additional symptoms associated with dangerously high iron levels include fever, dizziness, convulsions, headache, lethargy, chills and drowsiness. Seek prompt medical care if you or your child exhibits any of these symptoms while receiving treatment with iron supplements.
Complications
Acute iron toxicity may induce a coma within 30 to 60 minutes after overdosing on iron supplements, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Fluid may begin accumulating in your lungs, which may cause chest pain, shortness of breath or wheezing. If your blood pressure drops rapidly, your body may go into shock and your organs may begin to shut down. In the absence of immediate medical care, these iron toxicity complication may be fatal.
Treatment
If you develop toxicity symptoms after taking too many iron supplements, your medical provider may administer a chelating agent, such as deferoxamine, which binds to the excess iron in your body, the Merck Online Medical Library reports. Once the iron is bound by the chelating agent, it is excreted from your body in your urine. Your medical provider may also utilize gastric lavage to remove the contents of your stomach through a tube placed in your throat.
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