Iron Deficiency & Alcohol

Iron plays a critical role in the production of red blood cells, and as a part of the blood cells, iron helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. When your supply of iron is inadequate, you may develop iron deficiency anemia, which is a condition wherein your blood has inadequate red blood cells. Alcohol plays a surprising role in iron balance and absorption.

Alcohol and Bleeding

One of the possible causes of iron deficiency anemia is excess bleeding. As many as 50 percent of chronic alcohol abusers present with iron deficiency anemia as a result of internal bleeding from peptic ulcers.

Treatment for Blood Loss

In cases where iron deficiency is a result of blood loss, treatment will primarily focus on ceasing the blood loss and replacing the lost blood. You must treat the chronic alcoholism that caused the ulcer, and your doctor can treat the ulcer itself with antibiotics and other medicines. In some cases you may need surgery to remove a polyp or tumor that is causing internal bleeding. For women who have excessive menstrual blood flow, doctors may prescribe a combination of therapies that include iron supplementation, birth control pills and possibly surgery. In extreme blood-loss cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary to boost iron supplies.

Alcohol and Iron Overload

Interestingly, although chronic alcoholism often leads to iron deficiency anemia as a result of internal bleeding, normal alcohol consumption seems to do the opposite. A May 2004 study published in "Gastroenterology" investigated the effect of alcohol consumption on iron status and found that alcohol intake is more closely tied to a risk of iron overload. The study concluded that consumption of up to two alcoholic beverages per day was correlated with reduced risk of iron deficiency and no increased risk of iron overload, but more than two drinks per day was correlated with a significant increased risk of iron overload.

Hemosiderosis and Hemochromatosis

Iron toxicity has two types: hemosiderosis, which is an overload of iron without damage to tissue; and hemochromatosis, which is iron overload with damage to tissues like the liver, heart and other organs. Some people are genetically predisposed to hemochromatosis, and alcohol ingestion increases their risk of developing the condition. The treatment for chronic iron overload requires dietary iron restrictions and, in some cases, regular blood removal and pharmaceutical therapy.