Iron Supplement Side Effects: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Iron supplements are one of the most highly used and promoted supplements in the world. They can easily be found over the counter at drugstores.

Any supplement, when taken without a prescription or consultation from a physician can prove to be hazardous to health, so is the matter with self-administration. Supplements are synthetic formulations. Synthetic substances are often hard for the body to accept and require time to adapt to.

In this article, we highlight some common side effects of best iron supplements and share some tips on how to reduce iron supplements side effects.

Some common queries:

• How can Iron supplements harm you?
• Symptoms of high and low Iron levels
• Iron-rich Foods
• Recommended Iron Intake

How can iron supplements harm you?

Some diseases such as cancers, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases decrease the absorption of iron in the gut, which leads to iron deficiency in individuals. In these cases, physicians recommend oral or intravenous iron administration to avoid iron deficiency symptoms such as anemia. Iron in our body is a vital element aiding in the transport of oxygen to every cell.

The excess of anything is bad. Nature provides all essential nutrients in the food. Our bodies absorb and utilize these naturally found nutrients more efficiently. Anything processed or formulated synthetically can be a challenge for the body to recognize and use.

Iron supplements come in the following types, each with its benefits and side effects:

• Ferrous sulfate
• Ferric sulfate
• Ferrous gluconate
• Ferric citrate
• Ferrous fumarate

Enumerated are some possible side effects of taking the supplements:

Iron Supplements and Digestive Issues

One of the most common side effects of taking supplements is the occurrence of digestive issues. Taking supplements on an empty stomach can lead to some gastrointestinal disturbances for some people, such as:

• Flatulence
• Diarrhea
• Cramps
• Nausea
• Constipation.

This could be due to inflammation of the gut that occurs because of poor absorption of iron. Patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), can have more severe intolerance reaction to iron supplements.

An upset stomach is a common side effect of oral iron supplements for women, particularly in pregnant and young women. It’s important to monitor this reaction and consult a healthcare provider if discomfort persists.. Iron supplements causing dark stools are a common complaint. The iron that is not absorbed gets excreted in stool, giving it a darker appearance. But this can mask bleeding in people with Ulcerative Colitis or other hemorrhagic conditions of the gut.

Allergic Reactions

Some rare but possible effects can be an allergic reaction. Ferrous fumarate administration has been shown to present with higher chances of allergic reactions. The signs and symptoms of a severe, life-threatening reaction after taking an supplement could be:

• Difficulty breathing
• Hives
• Swelling of face, tongue, lips, throat or limbs
• Itching

When presented with these symptoms, immediately visit your local healthcare facility.

Medication and Dietary Interactions of Iron Supplements

Iron supplements can have the following interactions:

• Levothyroxine is a medication administered to subjects with thyroid disorders. it decrease the effect of levothyroxine by decreasing its uptake by the gut.
• Calcium supplements or calcium-rich foods should not be consumed with iron supplements as calcium decreases the absorption of iron.
• Levodopa is a medication used to decrease symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It can decrease the absorption of Levodopa in the gut, hence weakening its effect.
• The processing of iron in the body starts in the stomach when it is exposed to stomach acids. Taking antacids reduces the amount of iron that the body absorbs from foods and supplements.

Long-term Side Effects of Iron Supplements

In the long term, it can cause fatigue and other undesirable results. Too much use of iron supplements can lead to a build-up of iron in the tissues of the body such as blood and liver, this is called iron toxicity. Iron toxicity can further lead to iron poisoning.

Our body selectively absorbs iron from the A condition called hemochromatosis, which causes individuals to absorb large amounts of iron from food. If such individuals are administered more iron, this can lead to iron poisoning, which can be fatal.

Subjects with Hemochromatosis can develop other more severe conditions later in life, such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In such individuals, Vitamin C and iron supplements should be completely avoided.

Managing Iron Supplement Side Effects

Some measures that can decrease the side effects of iron supplements, some of which are:

• Consuming iron supplements with Vitamin C-rich foods.
• Avoid taking iron supplements with caffeine, antacids, or milk-based products.
• Controlled-release iron supplements are available in the market that allow better absorption of iron in the gut, hence decreasing gut discomfort.
• Avoid supplements with pre-existing medical conditions. Administer by consulting a physician and choosing the right type of iron supplement.

Symptoms of High and Low Iron levels

Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency can vary from individual to individual, some common ones are:

• Weakness
• Pallor
• Lightheadedness
• Lack of focus
• Intolerance to cold
• Irregular heart rate
• Dull and brittle hair and nails

Symptoms of iron toxicity may present as:

• Constipation
• Cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Allergic reaction
• Abdominal pain. ¹

When faced with the above-stated signs and symptoms, please refer to a physician for required personalized care.

Iron-rich Foods

Some foods rich in iron that can be included in diet regularly are:

• Kidney
• Liver
• Beef
• Lamb
• Cereals
• Beans and legumes
• Vegetables: Kale, spinach, broccoli, watercress, etc.
• Fruits: Fig, apricots and prunes
• Nuts and raisins
• Eggs

Recommended Iron Intake

According to the National Academy of Medicine, an Adequate Intake (AI) for Iron has been established as:

• For young women (19+ years): 14.8 mg daily (premenopausal) and 8.7 mg (postmenopausal)
• For men (19+ years): 8.7 mg daily. ²

Reference:

1. https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/iron/
2. https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflet/good-sources-of-iron