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Disorders of Iron
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Search by Disorder
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| Iron Related Issues
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| Acquired Iron Overload
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Acquired iron overload occurs when one obtains excessive amounts of iron from repeated exposure through supplementation, diet, iron shots, blood transfusion. When iron overload is acquired by oral or injected means, the consequences affect the entire body. However, having prolonged exposure to iron in tobacco directly or indirectly (second hand tobacco smoke) or iron-containing asbestos products can result in iron loaded lung cells. These patients are at increased risk for lung disease including cancer.
One can accumulate dangerously high levels of iron by accidental ingestion which usual occurs with young children who get iron pills prescribed for their mothers; these children can get very sick and can even die from iron poisoning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that accidental iron poisoning is one of the leading causes of poisoning in children.
Risk Groups
Those at risk are:
- Those who use tobacco products on a regular basis or who are exposed to tobacco smoke.
- Those exposed to iron-containing asbestos, patients with thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia or other conditions requiring blood transfusion to remedy anemia.
- Anyone taking excessive amounts of iron; or receiving iron shots.
- One who consumes on a regular basis a limited diet of red meat, tobacco products and alcohol.
Symptoms:
Anyone in a high risk category or with the following symptoms might get checked for acquired iron overload:
chronic fatigue
arthritic pain in joints
loss of libido (sex drive) or impotence
amenorrhea (premature cessation of menstrual cycle)
changes in skin color such as jaundice
bronze or gray-olive colored skin
a tan without being in the sun
redness in the palms of the hands
abdominal pain
weight loss
shortness of breath
chest pain
heart arrhythmia
depression
elevated blood sugar
hypothyroidism
enlargement of spleen
elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST)
An attending physician can test for excessive iron levels by measuring fasting ferritin and transferrin iron saturation percentage (TSat%).
Fasting ferritin greater than 300ng/mL in adult males or 200ng/mL in adult females with an accompanying TSat% greater than 45% can be an indication of an iron loading condition.
Remove offending agent, discontinue supplementation, reduce tissue iron levels with therapeutic phlebotomy, or use iron chelating drugs.
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| | In the case of accidental iron poisoning: contact your state poison control center and physician immediately. Toll-free numbers usually appear on the inside cover of your phone directory.
In the event you are not able to contact poison control, go to the emergency room immediately.
Pediatrician or attending physician can be contacted from the emergency room facility.
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