Can you have too much iron?

Iron toxicity can occur from over consumption of iron or from a genetic disorder.

Over consumption of alcohol can increase the adverse effects and liver and gastrointestinal damage can occur. Overdoses of iron in children can result in hospitalisation and fatality, as 3g to 10g consumed within 12 hours can be toxic. Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and weak pulse.

Iron overload is an excessive amount of iron stored above the normal bodily requirements. Hereditary Haemochromatosis is a genetic disorder where iron is deposited in tissues, usually the liver.

A genetic test is available to determine if persons have this disorder. Approximately 1 in 300 people in Australia suffer from this disorder.