Iron Supplement Side Effects

Iron is the most widely found important metal on earth. It is also needed by our body in small, adequate amount. The body of an adult human being contains 3-4 g of iron and 75 per cent of this amount is found in the blood. It aids in the formation of hemoglobin, which plays an important role in oxygen transport throughout the body. Iron deficiency anemia is caused due to decreased absorption of iron or hypo-acidity in stomach or a defect in intestinal mucosa. In case of deficiency, daily supplements of 60 mg iron and 500 mg of folic acid are generally prescribed. Our body must be able to absorb this iron or else the overdose of these supplements can cause side effects.

Possible Side Effects

One must remember that taking iron-rich foods and supplements does not cause any side effects in healthy individuals. However, when you take iron supplements in excess it causes various side effects which are as follows...

Gastrointestinal Disorders
Taking the supplements in excess causes various stomach problems like nausea , vomiting, constipation, irregular bowel habits, abdominal pain, and even diarrhea. Iron can corrode the intestinal lining causing ulceration. After taking the supplements, one common complaint is that of dark-colored stools. This is due to less absorption of iron. Although this might be harmless, if it's a regular symptom you must consult the doctor.

Discoloration
Sometimes excess supplements cause discoloration of teeth, sometimes even bluish color appears on lips, palms of hands and fingernails. Such a kind of discoloration is observed mainly when one takes liquid form of supplements.

Skin Problems
The side effects also include skin disorders like itching, developing rashes, or hives all over the body. Skin also starts looking pale and clammy. At times side effects of iron also include swelling of mouth or throat. This can be due to generation of excess heat by the body.

Iron Poisoning
For men, the side effect don't generally include iron poisoning. This generally occurs in kids, it happens due to excessive intake of iron pills. Some immediate symptoms of iron poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and blood in the stool.

Other Iron Side Effects
Some other side effects include fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, development of blood clots. Some breathing problems like rabid or shallow breathing may occur. There can be irregular heartbeat, overall drowsiness and weakness is observed. A recent research by the National Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C., discovered that people having high amounts of iron in their body are at a greater risk of suffering from cancer in the future.

During Pregnancy
Anemia - an iron deficiency disease is observed mostly during pregnancy; so to increase iron intake many women take supplements. If there is an overdose of these supplements it can cause various side effects in pregnant women, like the ones mentioned above. Apart from these side effects, iron poisoning has been found in children whose mothers have been consuming excessive supplements. So it is necessary to take iron supplements strictly under doctor's supervision.

Prevention

• Avoid taking these supplements with milk or other calcium rich products as calcium reduces absorption of iron.
• Take the supplements after meals or breakfast, include lots of citrus fruits like lemon and oranges in your diet.
• To prevent discoloration of teeth use straw for drinking liquid form of the supplements.
• The supplements must be kept out of the reach of children.
• Taking excess iron pills is not going to decrease your symptoms overnight so avoid excess indulgence it will cause more harm.
• Don't take the supplements with the other medicines that you take daily.

As the saying goes prevention is better than cure, one should only take iron supplements when needed and under doctor's supervision. One can fulfill one's daily quota of iron easily as iron rich foods are readily available. So if you want to be as powerful as an IRON MAN, eat a well-balanced and iron-rich diet than indulging excessively in these supplements.