Low in Iron.. is it dangerous to have too much iron supplements?

[mumofmany]

Feeling really flat and tired alot. I know this is #4 and I work 2 PT jobs.. but I'm feeling beyond exhaustion.

I'm on elevit and have been since conception of my 13month old. But I have some "organic liquid iron" that I took straight after she was born for 2 weeks as well.

Can you "overdose" on iron? Does anyone take more iron supplements on top of elevit?

I want to have both elevit and the liquid iron to help boost me..

I'll ask my GP at my next appt.. but was interested to see if anyone else was doubling up.

[Khaleesi]

I suffer from Anemia & because my levels are always low i was told to take my vitamins plus an iron supplement.
I did the same throughout my last pregnancy as-well

[butterfly_warrior]

I was on elevit for around 12 months before conceiving.

We discovered I was anemic and started an iron supplement on top of the elevit. We got nowhere so we started doubling up the iron supplement.

We still got nowhere and now we're trying a triple dose of the iron supplement on top of the elevit.

I don't know how much iron is a dangerous level of iron, but I do know that elevit apparently contains twice the recommended daily allowance of iron for pregnant women. I just don't absorb the rotten stuff! Or my baby is a really effective iron-leach.

I wouldn't jump in and start taking the extra supplement without first checking it with your doctor.

BW

[MantaRay]

You can overdose on pretty much any supplement. I would recommend having a bt first to have your levels checked - it might not be low iron causing the tiredness. Then if you need to take extra iron supplements, you will at least be doing so under medical supervision. Also ensure you eat iron rich foods - this iron is more readily absorbed than the supplements. And vitamin C increases iron absorption, so vitamin supplements can help, but lots of fresh fruit and vegies are even better.

[ll80]

also watch the constipation with doubling iron supplements.
Too much iron is also really not good for you, you can overdose, I can't remember what exactly it does but I know it's not good. I wouldn't be doing it unless under close supervision by a doctor.
I was really low on iron a month ago but couldn't double my supplements as they backed me up something shocking and made me get haemaroids (TMI) which flared up badly.
Make sure you are also getting heaps of Vitamin C into you as well as it aids Iron absorbtion I find it will also make me some somewhat less backed up as well.

[MantaRay]

FYI overdosing on iron can cause joint pain, and over time damages all your organs. So it can be fatal. This is a pretty good reason to be monitored if you take a higher than normal dosage of iron. I have a condition which gives me high iron and I need to have regular bts to monitor my iron levels.

[mumofmany]

Thanks so much for all your help. I'm going to hold off the extra supps til I see my GP. I've increased my iron rich food intake and will try do that til I can see doc on fri.

Once again.. thanks girls.