Side Effects When Taking Iron

Video: Side Effects When Taking Iron

Video: Side Effects When Taking Iron
Video: Side Effects of Iron Supplements | Well, Actually | Ep.1 2024, September
Side Effects When Taking Iron
Side Effects When Taking Iron
Anonim

One of the vital minerals for the human body is iron. When there is a lack of iron in the body, it leads to anemia. It manifests itself with symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. These symptoms are associated with less oxygen entering the tissues. This is because the main function of iron in the body is to carry oxygen to every cell. Children, pregnant women and pre-menopausal women are most at risk of developing iron deficiency.

Excess iron in the body is not absorbed, but accumulates and this leads to unwanted consequences. It is especially important for children to have their iron intake monitored by a doctor.

When the amount of iron in the body is greater than necessary, an overdose occurs. Most often this leads to the following unpleasant symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, diarrhea or constipation, heartburn. Also keep in mind that when you take iron supplements, your stools turn black.

If you take preparations containing high doses of iron for a long period of time, this will lead to its accumulation in the tissues and organs. When there is an accumulation of iron in the liver, it leads to a violation of its function.

Side effects when taking iron
Side effects when taking iron

The situation is even more serious if the iron is deposited in the heart, because you may develop heart failure. The effect on the skin and mucous membranes is the appearance of a typical discoloration. With the accumulation of iron in the body, you can also develop diabetes.

Intake of large doses of iron (for example, more than 100 times the recommended daily dose) is toxic to the body. Frequent vomiting, diarrhea with blood, damage and death of some cells of the gastrointestinal tract and in the most severe cases can have fatal consequences. This is the main reason to keep children away from iron supplements.

When patients are given iron supplements in a hospital setting, they may have the following side effects: joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, fever or headache. Allergic shock is not uncommon.

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