Iron Levels In Blood : Symptoms, Signs and Diseases from Excess Iron (Iron Overload)

Iron Levels In Blood : Symptoms, Signs and Diseases from Excess Iron (Iron Overload)






Iron is an essential mineral present in the hemoglobin, a protein molecule of blood. Without iron (in sufficient quantities) you would not be energetic or your vital organs may not function properly. It is the red blood cells or RBC that makes up hemoglobin of blood. It goes without saying that iron is required in proper levels in our blood for us to stay healthy.

Majority of iron content of the body is present in hemoglobin of RBC. Further it is also found in other proteins like ferritin of bone marrow and some of the body tissues. RBC do not live permanently they die and get replenished by fresh ones. After the death of RBC iron content gets deposited in the bone marrow and some organs like liver/Spleen. Gradually bone marrow produces new RBC’s for which iron is supplied from the liver.

Iron is found naturally in food particles like leafy greens, meat and eggs. Women who are pregnant and those who are in the stage of puberty need more iron than normal adult. Even breastfeeding mothers need more iron in their blood than normal women. When compared with men, women are at increased risk of losing iron fast due to Vaginal Bleeding and other factors. Hence it is necessary to check the iron levels in blood regularly to prevent anemia and its effects.

Need For Iron Test :

You can know if you are anemic and you can also know whether you are healthy in the scale of nutrition by checking the iron level in your blood. You can also find out whether iron is getting properly metabolized in the body.

Any Preparation ?

You need not have to prepare anything for doing iron test. But the levels of iron can change throughout the day and is often the highest in the morning. So if you are planning to go for blood test it is wise to do in the morning. Testing for iron requires drawing blood sample. The nurse or lab technician would wrap a strong elastic band in your upper arm. Then she would look for a clear vein and clean the site before putting a needle into the vein, for drawing required amount of blood. After the procedure, she would gently remove the band and place a cotton ball on the site of piercing. You would feel nothing more than a small injection during the process.

Is There Any Risk ?

Blood serum test does not carry any risk. It would cause mild pain like a shot. In rare cases it can cause swelling on the site of injection.

Interpretation :

• Iron levels (of normal range) may differ slightly from one lab to the other. So it is wise to consult your physician with the result who can give you right interpretation.


• Normal iron content in the blood can range anywhere from 12.5 to 31.3 mcmoles per dL for men and for women it can be 9.0 to 21.5 mcmoles/dL.


• For children iron level can be from 9.0 to 21.5 mcmol/dL.

Normal Iron Levels :

Total iron binding capacity in blood TIBC can be from 250 to 450 mcg/dL and transferrin saturation level can be 25-35% in your blood.

High levels of iron are dangerous since it can cause liver cirrhosis, liver failure and iron Poisoning.

Conditions and diseases that can cause changes in iron level

The results obtained from blood serum can be useful to interpret many things. It gives the values for TIBC, serum iron and transferrin saturation level. High values of iron can be due to hemochromatosis (Iron overload).

Anemia :

Low level of iron in the hemoglobin of RBC can cause Hemolytic Anemia. Blood cells may not contain sufficient levels of oxygen carrying hb causing chronic fatigue, weakness, and cold hands/feet and breathing problems. Affected person may not be able to concentrate in his work at home/office. Often iron deficiency anemia is caused by not taking iron rich foods, heavy menstrual bleeding and pregnancy and bleeding disorders.

Thalassemia :

In this case iron levels in blood are normal, but ferritin is unusually high. This is a kind of blood disorder that is hereditary. Mild form of thalessemia often goes unnoticed and rectified. But major thalessemia is dangerous requiring emergency medical care. The baby looks pale, dizzy, and would suffer from chronic infections and will not have appetite. Many babies would not live for more than 2 years.

Hemochromatosis :

It is a kind of disorder that causes disruption in the body’s ability to use and absorb iron. This disorder is often inherited and is caused by defective gene mutation. The genes that are responsible for absorption of iron in the blood get affected. Treatment is given in the form of medication for binding iron molecules and by blood removal periodically.

Before Testing :

You should avoid taking contraceptive pills, drugs like corticotropin and chloramphenicol. If you are already taking iron or vitamin supplements you should not take it previous day. You are not fit to take test if you have sleeping problems or if you have had blood transfusion recently.

Symptoms Of Excess Of Iron In The Blood :

It includes joint pain, abdominal cramps, darkening of skin, heart problems, and fatigue and liver problems. Overload of iron can cause Weight Loss, reduced libido and muscle weakness.

Treatment :

Depending on the result of iron test and considering factors like your age and health condition, your doctor may ask you change your diet. You need to include iron rich foods like dark green leaves, red meats, eggs, beans, molasses and grains.

Ferritin and Its Significance :

• Ferritin is the protein that acts as a store-house of iron molecules. It releases iron whenever your body needs them. Transferrin is the name of protein that takes ferritin to the right spot. Very much like iron, low levels and high levels of ferritin can cause significant health issues.


• Low ferritin level can be caused due to menstrual bleeding (in excess), mal-absorption of iron problems and bleeding disorders.


• High volumes of ferritin can cause Type 2 Diabetes, rheumatoid Arthritis, hyperThyroidism and liver related problems. In severe cases, it can cause iron poisoning.

Iron Overload

Iron Overload






Iron overload in our body is inherited disorder and is called hemochromatosis in medical terms. It causes excess of iron content in the body affecting Caucasian race. Very often there will be no symptoms (asymptomatic) in this disorder. For some people it is reflected in the form of heart failure, diabetes, joint pain and extreme fatigue.

A healthy adult should have 3-4gms of iron in blood. It is common to lose some iron in the form of cells shedding and sweating. The lost iron should be replaced by iron rich foods in daily diet. An adult should consume 1mg of iron each day in his food for replacing the lost iron. However if large quantities of iron is absorbed from the intestine, it can cause iron overload in the body.

People affected with hemochromatosis or iron overload will have increased absorption of iron supplied by large intestine but they lose only less quantity of iron daily. This will gradually build up more of iron content in the body than the required level causing iron overload. At this stage, the person might have 20-30gm of iron and excess of iron gets deposited on the liver, muscle joints and heart causing damage to the internal organs.

Women will not have iron overload problems because of menstruation cycle. During monthly cycle of menstruation they lose excess of iron and it is also lost for breastfeeding mothers. Hence women will get this problem in later stages than men.

Symptoms :

Often, iron overload will not produce any significant symptoms. It is revealed only during blood culture testing is done for some other purpose. Iron deposits in excess can cause darkened skin and this is more prominent in men than women who have chance to lose iron by menstrual blood loss. The problems associated with iron overload will appear 10-20 years later for women than men.

Impotence or sexual dysfunction is one of the major signs of iron overload. Excess of iron is deposited in testicles which would shrink in size gradually. Iron deposits in Pancreas will decrease the secretion of insulin resulting in diabetes. Iron can also get deposited in pituitary gland and heart muscle causing heart failure and increased palpitation. If iron is absorbed in liver it can cause liver cirrhosis and even Liver Cancer.

More Symptoms and Signs :

Liver enlargement and liver disease can occur when you have excess of iron in blood. It can cause fibrosis and liver cirrhosis and abnormal liver function. In severe cases, it can cause total liver failure leading to death.

Individuals with iron overload are under the risk of getting liver cancer. They will be very weak and lethargic having sluggish physical activity and mental strength.

They are more prone to any bacterial and viral infection than normal individuals since microorganisms thrive well in iron content. The skin may become dark due to excess of melanin pigment giving you a tanned look on the skin. More than 70% of men and women diagnosed with iron overload have darkened skin.

It increases the chance of getting diabetes. Since excess of iron is deposited in pancreas abrupt its normal functions, it can cause reduction of insulin secretion leading to diabetes. People with iron overload can have reduced sex hormone resulting in sexual dysfunction or even impotence. It would also weaken your bones causing Osteoporosis.

It gives more chance for getting heart related problems if iron deposits are accumulated in excess in the heart tissue.

Diagnoses :

It is difficult to diagnose iron overload since no symptoms are seen. It is discovered only during routine blood test. In case of doubt you can check the iron content in blood by simple blood profile test.

Treatment :

The aim of the treatment is to reduce the iron content from the body to attain the normal level. It is done by withdrawal of blood (phlebotomy) in regular intervals. One unit of blood contains approximately 250mg of iron and hence it is necessary to withdraw one unit for every week. Iron level in the blood is continuously monitored by checking the serum ferritin which should go below 50mg/ml for reaching normal level.

Once normal level is reached, blood withdrawal can be reduced to 2-3 months depending on the person’s health condition.

Having iron overload can cause serious organ problems affecting the liver, heart, kidney and pancreas. By repeating phlebotomy the person can be saved from the risk of Heart Attack and cirrhosis. The affected person becomes less prone for diabetes and heart failure by donating blood when he has excess of iron.

Advantages of donating blood during iron overload :

• You can prevent liver cirrhosis and cancer by phlebotomy at regular intervals

• In case if you already have liver problems due to iron overload it helps in improved functions of liver thereby reducing the risk of liver cancer

• You are freed from symptoms of iron overload like joint pain, fatigue and Liver Pain

• You are less prone to get heart attack due to iron overload by repeated blood donation

• It improves the function of your heart

Diet to be taken and Avoided :

• People with iron overload should avoid diet that contains more of iron. They can take balanced diet with iron after they have started therapeutic phlebotomy.


• Stop drinking alcohol since it can trigger liver infection causing liver cirrhosis.


• Reduce the foods containing vitamin C supplement in your daily meal. Taking high doses of vitamin C can cause abnormal heartbeat if you have iron overload in your body. It is better to avoid foods containing vitamin C.


• Avoid taking raw seafood since it can cause bacterial infections easily if you have excess of iron.