{"id":31406,"date":"2019-12-27T04:28:18","date_gmt":"2019-12-27T12:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=31406"},"modified":"2021-11-03T02:05:35","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T09:05:35","slug":"iron-part-4-negative-health-effects-high-iron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/iron-part-4-negative-health-effects-high-iron\/","title":{"rendered":"Negative Health Effects of High Iron & Associated Diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Excess iron is associated with inflammation and several other health problems. Read this post to learn more about the negative health effects of high iron and conditions associated with iron overload.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Iron Overload<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Lab Cutoffs for Iron Overload<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Most labs consider blood ferritin levels greater than 150 – 200 ng\/mL in women and greater than 400 ng\/mL in men to be abnormal and indicative of excess iron stores (in the absence of chronic illness and inflammatory disorders) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Additionally, transferrin<\/a> saturation values above 55 – 60% may be indicative of iron overload [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

If your ferritin or transferrin is high, work with your doctor to find the cause. Your doctor will interpret your results, taking into account your medical history, symptoms, and other test results.<\/p>\n

Iron Overload from High Iron Intake<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The risk of iron overload from dietary sources in adults with normal gut function is negligible<\/strong>. A tolerable upper intake level of iron is 40 mg\/day per kg body weight for infants and children age 13, and 45 mg\/day for people aged 14 and older [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Iron intake without food can cause gastric upset, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and faintness. Stools often appear darker in color [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In severe cases, iron overdose can cause diarrhea, blood loss, hypovolemic shock, multiple organ dysfunctions, and death [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Why Excess Iron is Bad<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Excess iron can accumulate in vital organs like the heart, liver, pancreas, and endocrine glands. This stimulates the formation of free radicals, which damage proteins, DNA, membranes, and can lead to cell death [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Studies suggest that left untreated, chronic iron overload raises the risk of liver disease, cancer, sexual dysfunction, arthritis, heart disease, eye disease, and diabetes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Health Conditions That Can Cause Iron Overload<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Conditions listed below can cause iron overload. But your iron may be high but that doesn’t mean you have any of these conditions. <\/strong>Work with your doctor or another health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis.<\/p>\n

1) Genetic Disorders<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hereditary hemochromatosis<\/strong> is the most common genetic iron overload disorder. It’s caused by mutations in genes that affect hormones controlling iron levels such as ferroportin and hepcidin [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

This disorder is characterized by increased absorption of dietary iron and its buildup in the heart, liver, pancreas, hormone-producing glands, tissue and joints, where it causes injury and organ damage [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Aceruloplasminemia<\/strong> is another disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding ceruloplasmin<\/a> (Cp), an enzyme involved in the loading of iron onto transferrin following its release from cells [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Low blood ceruloplasmin levels lead to iron accumulation in neural and glial cells of the brain, pancreatic insulin-producing cells, and liver cells. This iron accumulation can cause retinal damage, diabetes, cerebellar ataxia, dementia, and neurological disease [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Hereditary atransferrinemia<\/strong> is a rare disorder characterized by extremely low blood transferrin levels. Transferrin depletion allows non-transferrin bound iron to accumulate in the liver and other organs in toxic levels. It also impairs red blood cell production because red blood cell production requires transferrin-bound iron [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

2) Transfusional Siderosis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Frequent blood transfusions, commonly done for patients with sickle cell anemia, beta-thalassemia<\/a>, and bone marrow failure, can lead to iron toxicity and chronic iron overload [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Each unit of transfused blood introduces around 200 – 250 mg of iron, which is substantially more than the amount of iron that is absorbed through the gut daily (1 – 2 mg).<\/p>\n

At first, iron accumulates in macrophages and later in the liver, pancreas, and hormone-producing tissue, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

3) Liver Disease<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many studies have reported elevated blood levels of ferritin and iron in those with Hepatitis C virus infection [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

This is likely due to a prolonged inflammatory liver state, which can lead to the release of iron and ferritin from damaged liver cells [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Raised liver iron stores were observed in approximately one-third of adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Certain studies suggest that blood ferritin can be used as a predictor of disease severity and advanced liver tissue scarring in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Health Conditions Associated With Iron Overload<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

We will now discuss health conditions associated with iron overload.<\/p>\n

Remember, just because your iron may be high, that doesn’t mean you have any of the conditions listed below.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4) Metabolic Syndrome<\/span><\/h3>\n

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that often occur together, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. You have metabolic syndrome if you have 3 or more of the following:<\/p>\n