Reply To: IRON – demystifying causes of high and low iron

[Cari]

It is surprising to me to discover that too much iron causes fatigue and anemia does too. Dr. Ray Peat says anemia is rare so why all of the iron supplements in everything? @Zack Vegas @J.R.L

“Hemochromatosis, or iron overload, is a condition in which your body stores too much iron. It’s often genetic. It can cause serious damage to your body, including to your heart, liver and pancreas. You can’t prevent the disease, but early diagnosis and treatment can avoid, slow or reverse organ damage.”

“Too much iron can be toxic.

In the heart, it can cause:

Arrythmia (irregular heartbeat).
Heart failure.
Too much iron in the liver can lead to:

Cirrhosis (scarring).
Enlarged liver.
Liver cancer.
Liver failure.
In addition, iron overload can cause:

Arthritis (joint damage).
Diabetes.
Problems with the spleen, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, gallbladder or thyroid.
Problems with the reproductive system, such as erectile dysfunction in men and early menopause in women.
Skin that may look noticeably more gray or bronze than usual.
If the condition isn’t treated, it can lead to death.”

“The condition is fairly common, affecting more than a million Americans.”

 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14971-hemochromatosis-iron-overload#:~:text=Fatigue%20(feeling%20tired%20a%20lot,the%20pointer%20and%20middle%20fingers.