If you take an over-the-counter multivitamin supplement that contains iron and vitamin B-complex, it might help restore deficiencies caused by medical conditions or an inadequate diet. But some multivitamin supplements may contain far more vitamins than you need. Taking high doses of iron and vitamin B-complex pose serious health risks. Carefully check labels to see how closely doses adhere to the recommended daily allowance for each vitamin and discuss safety concerns with your doctor.
Iron Deficiencies
Iron helps oxygen get delivered to your cells, including your muscles, and helps regulate cell growth in your body. If you don't get enough iron in your diet or have difficulty absorbing iron from foods such as beef, chicken and fortified cereals, you may develop an iron deficiency. Menstruating women may also suffer iron deficiencies and exhibit symptoms such as fatigue, a weakened immune system and difficulty performing mental and physical tasks. A blood test can reveal iron deficiencies, and your doctor can recommend appropriate supplement doses to restore your iron levels.
Iron Risks
If you consume excess amounts of iron in a multivitamin or other supplement, you could suffer serious, even fatal side effects, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. The RDA for iron ranges from 8 g to 18 g daily -- the higher amount applies to women of childbearing age. If you take more than 45 g -- the upper intake level set by the Institute of Medicine -- you may put yourself at added risk for heart disease, although the link between iron toxicity and heart disease remains unclear, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Vitamin B Deficiency
It makes sense to take B vitamin complex if you suffer from a deficiency in several B vitamins. But ask your doctor about how much, if any, extra B vitamins you need. Most people get enough B vitamins in their diets from sources such as fish, chicken, beef, milk, eggs, legumes, nuts and green vegetables. People susceptible to B vitamin deficiencies include those who abuse alcohol and people with malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac or Crohn's disease. Women who take birth control pills may develop deficiencies in vitamin B-6 -- pyridoxine -- and older adults and people who've undergone stomach surgery may suffer deficiencies in vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B Risks
If you take more vitamin B than you need -- and supplements may contain more than 6,000 percent of the RDA for some B vitamins -- you may suffer both mild and serious side effects. Taking too much of any B vitamin may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you take high amounts of vitamin B-3 -- niacin, side effects include heartbeat irregularities, stomach ulcers and liver damage. Niacin may also cause dramatic blood sugar elevations in diabetics and worsen symptoms of kidney disease. Excess vitamin B-6 may cause nerve and brain damage.
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