What happens when you take too much iron?

Frequently taking iron supplements that contain more than 20 mg of elemental iron at a time can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, especially if the supplement is not taken with food. In severe cases, iron overdoses can lead to organ failure, internal bleeding, coma, seizure, and even death.

How do I know if I took too much iron?

Excessive iron can be damaging to the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms of iron toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. Over time, iron can accumulate in the organs, and cause fatal damage to the liver or brain.

How much iron is considered an overdose?

The amount of iron ingested may give a clue to potential toxicity. The therapeutic dose for iron deficiency anemia is 3-6 mg/kg/day. Toxic effects begin to occur at doses above 20 mg/kg of elemental iron. Ingestions of more than 60 mg/kg of elemental iron are associated with severe toxicity.

Can iron pills make you overdose?

Intentional iron tablets overdose in adults is uncommon. The majority of acute iron toxicity cases occur in children less than 5 years of age who present with accidental ingestion of iron supplements.

How do you detox your body from iron?

The body has no easy way to dispose of extra iron. The most effective way to get rid of excess iron is blood loss. Therefore, menstruating women are less likely to experience iron overload. Likewise, those who donate blood frequently are at lower risk.

How long does iron stay in your system?

About 25 percent of the iron in the body is stored as ferritin, found in cells and circulates in the blood. The average adult male has about 1,000 mg of stored iron (enough for about three years), whereas women on average have only about 300 mg (enough for about six months).

How many mg of iron is too much?

At high doses, iron is toxic. For adults and children ages 14 and up, the upper limit — the highest dose that can be taken safely — is 45 mg a day. Children under age 14 should not take more than 40 mg a day.

How much ferrous sulfate is an overdose?

The most common iron salt, ferrous sulfate, contains approximately 20% of the elemental form. The level of iron lethal toxicity has not been well established because of the potential variation in patient weight and form ingested. However, when calculated, doses of 60 mg/kg can result in serious toxicity and death.

What are the symptoms of an iron overdose?

Serious iron poisoning usually causes symptoms within 6 hours of the overdose. The symptoms of iron poisoning typically occur in 5 stages: Stage 1 (within 6 hours after the overdose): Symptoms include vomiting, vomiting blood, diarrhea, abdominal pain, irritability, and drowsiness.

What happens if you take too much iron?

Excessive iron can be damaging to the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms of iron toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. Over time, iron can accumulate in the organs, and cause fatal damage to the liver or brain.

What are side effects of iron overdose?

However, too much of iron or iron overdose is, in fact, considered more harmful, especially for the elderly. Common side effects/symptoms include diarrhea, liver problem, nausea and vomiting, metallic taste in mouth, black or bloody feces, dehydration, low blood pressure, weak pulse and shock.

What are the signs of iron poisoning?

Among the initial signs of iron poisoning are nausea and abdominal pain. Vomiting blood can also occur. Iron poisoning can also lead to diarrhea and dehydration. Sometimes, too much iron causes stools to turn black and bloody.