In severe cases, iron overdoses can lead to organ failure, internal bleeding, coma , seizure, and even death. It is important to keep iron supplements out of reach of children to reduce the risk of fatal overdose. According to Poison Control, accidental ingestion of iron supplements was the most common cause of death from an overdose of medication in children less than 6 years old until the s.
Changes in the manufacture and distribution of iron supplements have helped reduce accidental iron overdoses in children, such as replacing sugar coatings on iron tablets with film coatings, using child-proof bottle caps, and individually packaging high doses of iron.
Only one death from an iron overdose was reported between and Some studies have suggested that excessive iron intake can increase the risk of liver cancer. Other research shows that high iron levels may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Iron may also have a direct damaging role in brain injury that results from bleeding within the brain.
Research in mice has shown that high iron states increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Proton pump inhibitors PPIs used to treat reflux disease can reduce the amount of iron that can be absorbed by the body from both food and supplements. Discuss taking an iron supplement with a physician or healthcare practitioner, as some of the signs of iron overload can resemble those of iron deficiency.
Excess iron can be dangerous, and iron supplements are not recommended except in cases of diagnosed deficiency, or where a person is at high risk of developing iron deficiency. It is preferable to achieve optimal iron intake and status through the diet rather than supplements.
This can help minimize the risk of iron overdose and ensure a good intake of the other nutrients found alongside iron in foods. Vanilla extract adds depth of flavor to recipes and baked goods, and substitutes can replace it in a pinch. Learn more about replacements for vanilla….
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Hot water bottles can help to relieve aches and pains. Learn more here. Everything you need to know about iron. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.
Recommended intake Benefits Foods Risks Iron is a mineral vital to the proper function of hemoglobin, a protein needed to transport oxygen in the blood. Recommended intake. Share on Pinterest Iron is important for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Share on Pinterest Clams are an excellent source of iron.
Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. As a result, you may experience the following symptoms 1 , 2 :. Keep in mind that these symptoms are typically most noticeable when low iron levels progress to IDA. Thus, you may have low iron levels without experiencing any of these signs, especially in the early stages of iron depletion. Getting your iron levels tested regularly can be a great way to identify and treat low iron levels before they potentially develop into IDA.
Low iron levels are common and can, if left untreated, progress into iron deficiency anemia IDA. Symptoms often only appear once IDA has developed. Getting your iron levels tested regularly may help identify a deficiency before it progresses to IDA. Iron supplements can help reverse low iron levels or treat iron deficiency anemia. They can produce results quicker than diet interventions and are often considered the treatment method of choice. Taking these supplements unnecessarily may also cause cell damage, and in severe cases, result in organ failure, coma, or death.
Negative side effects can occur in anyone, but appear especially fatal in children 1. Iron supplements can reverse sub-optimal iron levels. Make sure to get your iron levels checked beforehand, as taking them unnecessarily could harm your health.
Getting your blood tested is one of the best ways to diagnose low iron levels or IDA, as the conditions can be difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone. One complementary approach is to consider how your dietary and supplemental iron intakes compare with the recommended iron intakes 1. To understand the importance of requesting certain blood tests over others, it may be useful to understand the three main stages of iron deficiency.
Low iron levels typically progress to IDA through these stages 1 :. Hemoglobin and hematocrit tests are commonly used to screen for iron deficiency. Identifying the earlier stages of depletion is beneficial, as doing so allows you to address the problem immediately — be it through diet modifications or supplements — rather than letting it progress to IDA before taking action. Serum ferritin is currently considered the most cost-effective and efficient test for diagnosing an iron deficiency, especially in its early stages.
Those with no history of low iron levels may choose to get their levels tested once per year as a way to detect a potential iron deficiency in its early stages. If taking iron supplements, improvements in hemoglobin may be noticeable within 4 weeks. Most people begin to feel better after around 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks for the medicine to have full effect.
If you are taking ferrous fumarate to prevent anaemia you probably will not feel any different but that does not mean it is not working. If you're taking ferrous fumarate on prescription, it is important to take it for as long as your doctor tells you to.
To prevent iron deficiency anaemia, you will need to take ferrous fumarate for as long as you are at risk of getting this deficiency. You will take ferrous fumarate for several months to treat iron deficiency anaemia. Your doctor will usually advise you to keep taking it for 3 to 6 months afterwards to help build up your body's iron supply. It's safe to take ferrous fumarate for as long as you need to, provided that your doctor has said it's OK and you are not having any side effects. There are other types of iron, including ferrous sulphate and ferrous gluconate.
There is little difference in how well they work when you take an equivalent dose of iron. If you have a side effect with one type of iron, it may not happen with another type. Iron injections can also be used if tablets or liquid iron do not help, or if your iron levels are very low. Lack of energy is a common symptom when you have iron deficiency anaemia.
Having too little iron means your blood cannot carry enough oxygen around your body. This makes you feel tired. Taking ferrous fumarate can give you more energy by boosting your iron levels. Your doctor may recommend a red blood cell count test after 2 to 4 weeks to see if it's working. If you feel tired, but have not been diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia, it's important to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking ferrous fumarate. This is because there may be many reasons why you lack energy.
A simple blood test will confirm whether you have anaemia, and your doctor will be able to discuss a results and any treatment with you. When you take ferrous fumarate or when you eat foods that are high in iron , make sure you leave a 2 hour gap before having tea or coffee or any of the foods on this list.
Ferrous fumarate will not stop your contraception working. This includes the combined pill and emergency contraception. However, if ferrous fumarate makes you be sick vomit or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Find out what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. There's no firm evidence that ferrous fumarate will affect fertility in either men or women.
Yes, you can. Ferrous fumarate does not affect you being able to drive or cycle. If your diet is partly causing iron deficiency anaemia, eating more foods that are rich in iron can help. Page last reviewed: 21 August Next review due: 21 August Ferrous fumarate On this page About ferrous fumarate Key facts Who can and cannot take ferrous fumarate How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About ferrous fumarate Ferrous fumarate is a medicine used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia. It's available on prescription and to buy from pharmacies. Ferrous fumarate works best when taken on an empty stomach. Most people feel better after taking ferrous fumarate for 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks to take full effect. Common side effects include feeling or being sick, and diarrhoea. Ferrous fumarate may also be called by the brand names Fersamal and Galfer.
Ferrous fumarate may not be suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting ferrous fumarate if you: have had an allergic reaction to ferrous fumarate or any other medicine in the past have a different type of anaemia that is not caused by low levels of iron have any other conditions that affect your iron levels, such as haemochromatosis or haemosiderosis have a condition that affects your red blood cells, such as sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia have a stomach ulcer , or other stomach or bowel problems such as inflammatory bowel disease are receiving repeated blood transfusions have noticed blood in your pee.
Ferrous fumarate tablets comes in 2 strengths — mg and mg. Ferrous fumarate capsules are mg. How much will I take?
To prevent anaemia The usual dose of ferrous fumarate for adults and children over 12 years old is: mg tablets — 1 tablet, taken 1 or 2 times a day mg tablets — 1 tablet, taken once a day mg capsules — 1 capsule, taken once a day liquid — one 5ml spoonful, taken 2 times a day, or two 5ml spoonfuls taken once a day For children under the age of 12, the doctor will use your child's age or weight to work out the right dose.
How to take it Ferrous fumarate works best when you take it on an empty stomach. Important Keep ferrous fumarate out of sight and reach of children, as an overdose may be fatal. What if I forget to take it? If you usually take it: once a day — take it as soon as you remember. But if it's less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose.
If you remember more than 4 hours after your missed dose, skip the missed dose and then take your next one as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. What if I take too much? Many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
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