are low iron levels dangerous?
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Mild iron deficiency anemia usually doesn't cause complications. However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following: Heart problems. Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
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A low MCH value typically indicates the presence of iron deficiency anemia. Iron is important for the production of hemoglobin. Your body absorbs a small amount of iron that you eat in order to produce hemoglobin.
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Iron infusions can cause some side effects, including: constipation. dizziness. loose bowel movements.
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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.
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The CDC recommends that all pregnant women take a 30 mg/day iron supplement, unless they have hemochromatosis. For women with a low ferritin level and anemia, iron supplementation should be increased to 30 to 120 mg daily.
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Iron tablets are available without a prescription and may be perceived as health supplements with minimal toxic potential. When taken in excess, however, iron is far more dangerous than most prescription medications. As few as 10 ferrous sulfate tablets (total of 600 mg elemental iron) can kill a small child.
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This type of anemia is not caused by too little iron in the blood; it's caused by not having enough red blood cells. In fact, taking iron supplements could harm a person with sickle cell disease because the extra iron builds up in the body and can cause damage to the organs.
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Lack of nutrients in your diet. A lack of the vitamin B-12, folate and iron can keep your body from producing enough red blood cells (anemia), causing low blood pressure.
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A lack of the vitamin B-12, folate and iron can keep your body from producing enough red blood cells (anemia), causing low blood pressure.
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Too much iron can irritate the stomach and digestive tract, sometimes causing bleeding. Within hours of an acute overdose, the body's cells can be poisoned and their chemical reactions can be affected. Within days, liver damage can occur.
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However, iron is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses. If you do not have iron deficiency, do not take more than 45 mg per day of elemental iron. Higher doses cause stomach and intestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting and may even cause preterm birth in some women.
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Most people should be able to get all the iron they need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take iron supplements, don't take too much as this could be harmful. Taking 17mg or less a day of iron supplements is unlikely to cause any harm. But continue taking a higher dose if advised to by your GP.
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Around six million British people take iron supplements – mostly to treat anaemia, a disease caused by iron deficiency, which causes feelings of exhaustion. The NHS advises that taking 17mg or less a day of iron supplements is unlikely to cause any harm in healthy people.
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Anyone can develop iron-deficiency anemia, although the following groups have a higher risk: Women, because of blood loss during monthly periods and childbirth. People over 65, who are more likely to have diets that are low in iron. People who are on blood thinners such as aspirin, Plavix®, Coumadin®, or heparin.
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However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following: Heart problems. Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in your blood when you're anemic.
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As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Without enough iron, your body can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath.
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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. Toxic cellular effects occur as well.