Each day, adults should consume between 8 and 18 mg of iron, depending on their sex and age, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. If consuming dietary sources of iron, such as beef, poultry, oatmeal and beans, doesn't provide you with enough iron each day, you may need to add an iron supplement to your diet. Discuss iron supplement dangers with your physician before you begin taking this form of iron.
Side Effects
Treatment with iron supplements may cause mild to moderate side effects. The most common side effect associated with this supplement is stomach discomfort. Stomach-related side effects typically include nausea, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation. Bowel movement changes may be accompanied by abdominal bloating, cramping or pain. If your doctor administers an intravenous infusion of iron, you may also experience fever, body aches or headache pain. Consult your medical provider if these side effects become severe or do not subside.
Overdose
Iron poisoning or overdose is one of the most common accidental dangers involving children younger than 5 years of age. Taking more than the recommended dosage of iron may cause severe and potentially life-threatening overdose symptoms. Such symptoms include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, abdominal pain, pale skin heart rate irregularities and increased blood sugar. In the absence of immediate medical attention, an iron overdose may also result in coma, fluid in the lungs, liver damage and bluish skin discoloration -- also called cyanosis. Seek emergency medical care if you or your child has taken too much iron and exhibits any of the symptoms associated with an iron overdose.
Drug Interactions
Discuss any drug you are taking with your doctor before beginning treatment with an iron supplement. Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs -- also called NSAIDs -- or allopurinol in conjunction with iron. You should also be aware that treatment with oral contraceptives may increase the level of iron in your body. If you're taking birth control medication, be sure to keep track of how much iron you are taking to limit your risk of experiencing an overdose.
Contraindications
Iron supplementation is not safe for people with certain medical conditions. Always inform your doctor of any health problems you may have before taking iron supplements. Do not take iron if you have an intestinal disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, or an intestinal or stomach ulcer. Iron supplementation may aggravate your condition and can increase the severity of your symptoms. Additionally, avoid treatment with iron supplements if you have thalassemia, a disease that affects hemoglobin, a specific component of the blood.
Member Comments