Can too much iron make you feel run down?

[Dick S]

Please don't think this is a dumb question.
When docs first said I was anemic in Feb. 06, before any tests or BMB etc., just based on blood tests, they sent me some B12 and 325MG iron tablets (which I thot was high) with no instructions other then "here they are are, take them", implying the old "iron deficiency anemia". I continued to take them, buying them from the drug store cheaper than by perscription. I can't recall ever being tested for iron. Now, as you know by my story, I have been constantly fatigued and at times nausious. Docs keep saying I should not be that tired per my blood counts, but they believe I am. I was not fatigued before all this started. I got to thinking what was different before this all started and I ran out of iron pills at about the same time. After about a week of not taking the iron pills I can't tell you how much better I feel, it's like the difference of night and day and no more nausia. I am not on transfussions. I know men need less iron then women do. Can it be that I have a low tolerance for iron and can it make you feel this way? Maybe some of you that have had iron overload can answer. Thank you all.

[Marlene]

Hi Dick,

There are no dumb questions . Iron supplements are hard on the tummy and can cause constipation also. So I can see how you can feel better by not taking them. Your doctor should have checked your iron levels before starting on any iron supplemention and then again to monitor it ongoing.

Too much iron can cause fatigue and if you have too much in your bone marrow, it can suppress it as well. Most men are not iron deficient but it does happen. Any chronic bleeding can deplete iron.

Here's a good link on iron: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iron/

At the beginning of your disease, your doctor should have run a baseline on your iron, B12, folate, B6, copper, MMA and homocysteine. Not all do. Some just do B12 and iron. If you've seen any of my other posts on this you'll see I feel very strong about correcting nutritional imbalances. In times of disease/stress, your body requires more than having "low normal" levels of them in your blood.

Hope this helps....BTW...that was a good connection to make. Sometimes you do have to look back to see what was different.

Marlene

[Dick S]

Part of my problem is that I have two doctors, the GP who is prescribing the iron and my hematoligist/oncologist that is treating my specific disease and I don't think they are in tune with each other.

[Marlene]

I know what you mean.....I've become the watchdog for John. It's rare to find a really good GP that will coordinate with all your other specialists. At this point, the iron issue needs to be discussed with the hematologist.

I know that when other docs have wanted to put John a med or do something, we will always run it by our Hemo for a second opinion. We've had two incidences, both orthopedic in nature, where the docs consulted with our hemotologist before commencing treatment.

Marlene