Can iron overload cause headaches

This was my first clue when I first suspected I might have hemochromatosis. I began to have knee pain without any injuries or overuse. Both of my knees progressively became painful, stiff, and sore. Fatigue — Having too much iron is exhausting. Feeling less energy, being unable to enjoy or even complete daily activities, and waking unrefreshed in the morning are all frequently experienced hemochromatosis symptoms. Serious Signs, Symptoms, and Complications of Hemochromatosis Beyond the low energy and painful soreness, hemochromatosis carries a significant risk for long term health consequences.

Iron absorption and accumulation builds over a lifetime and can lead to the following: Organ Damage — Iron overload can cause damage to internal organs, especially of the liver, pancreas, endocrine glands, cardiovascular system, and skin Liver Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer — The liver is the organ most at risk of damage from too much iron, with cirrhosis and cancer risk increasing in iron overload. Insulin Resistance and Diabetes — If the pancreas stores excess iron, an individual is at an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and, ultimately, diabetes.

Fortunately, bronze diabetes is less common with earlier diagnosis. Source: Haemochromatosis Society of the UK Less Serious Hemochromatosis Symptoms Hemochromatosis symptoms can produce some less concerning, yet still undesirable consequences. Here are some other commonly reported symptoms of hemochromatosis: Restlessness, Difficulty Concentrating or Focusing Increased Sensitivity to Heat or Cold Sweating, Shallow Breathing, or Shortness of Breath Frequent Colds or Infections Inability to Relax Muscles, Back Pain Headache, Dizziness Skin conditions- including rash and itching Digestive Disturbances- Nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea may also be attributable to iron overload Emotional and Psychological Symptoms and Challenges Hemochromatosis can have a significant impact on our emotional and mental states.

Iron is essential for good health, but many people are deficient in it. The foods you eat can influence how much iron your body ends up absorbing. Anemia is caused by a lack of iron in your body.

This can cause headaches and fatigue. Learn how you can change your lifestyle to treat this condition. If you have low iron levels or have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, try these drinks high in iron to boost your intake of this essential…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Iron is an essential mineral.

However, like many other nutrients, it is harmful in high amounts. In fact, iron is so toxic that its absorption from the digestive tract is tightly controlled. For the most part, this minimizes the harmful effects of excess iron. It is when these safety mechanisms fail that health issues arise. This article discusses the potentially harmful effects of consuming too much iron.

What is Iron? Iron is an essential dietary mineral, mostly used by red blood cells. There are two types of dietary iron: Heme iron: This type of iron is only found in animal foods, mostly in red meat. It is absorbed more easily than non-heme iron. Non-heme iron: Most dietary iron is in the non-heme form.

It is found in both animals and plants. Its absorption can be enhanced with organic acids, such as vitamin C, but is decreased by plant compounds like phytate. Bottom Line: Iron is an essential dietary mineral that plays an important role in transporting oxygen throughout the body.

Regulation of Iron Stores. There are two reasons why iron levels are tightly regulated within the body: Iron is an essential nutrient that plays a role in many basic body functions, so we must get a small amount.

High levels of iron are potentially toxic, so we should avoid getting too much. On the other hand, conditions that stimulate hepcidin formation may cause iron deficiency. Bottom Line: The rate of iron absorption from the digestive tract is tightly regulated by the hormone hepcidin. Iron Toxicity.

Iron toxicity can be either sudden or gradual. Under normal circumstances, very little free iron circulates in the bloodstream. It is safely bound to proteins, such as transferrin, which keep it from causing harm. Several conditions may cause this to happen.

The Irish Haemochromatosis Association claims that when it was established, five years ago, many GPs and even some consultants seemed unaware of the condition. Its underdiagnosis seems to be due to the fact that, in the disorder's later stages, the organ damage it causes gives patients many of the symptoms of better-known conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Doctors have become better informed about haemochromatosis over the past few years, although it still often goes untested for when patients complain of typical symptoms such as joint pain, vague abdominal pain, chronic fatigue and loss of sex drive.

Ironically, haemochromatosis is often dubbed the Celtic disease or Celtic mutation the mutated gene present in most patients was identified in , as the incidence is so much higher in Ireland and areas to which the Irish have emigrated - Britain, Australia and the east coast of the US - than anywhere else. One in 83 Irish people is thought to be genetically predisposed to developing iron overload, compared with one in on the Continent.

One in five Irish people is believed to carry the defective gene, making haemochromatosis one of our most common genetic disorders. Why this occurs is not yet understood. There may be other genes involved. Ivan Morris, who is 58, discovered he had haemochromatosis only when his younger brother discovered he had the condition after he treated himself to a full health and stress scan on his 50th birthday.

Tests confirmed that Morris and his year-old son, David, also carried the defective gene. Having completed a series of venesections, Morris will continue to have his iron level checked every three months. Morris's case highlights the importance of testing family once a brother or sister has been diagnosed with haemochromatosis.

Doctors currently advise that, if a parent has haemochromatosis, their children should not be tested before adulthood. Dr John Crowe says referrals for genetic haemochromatosis tests are doubling each year because of increasing awareness of the condition. He does not regard the way forward to be general screening, however, in spite of the likelihood that it would identify many more people who are predisposed to haemochromatosis yet remain asymptomatic.

Dr Crowe does not tell haemochromatosis patients to change their diets except to recommend that they avoid iron-fortified breakfast cereal. But, generally speaking, treatment with venesection will result in taking off much higher levels of iron than any dietary changes can.

You can contact the Irish Haemochromatosis Association on Doctors need to perform both blood tests, and they may need to repeat them for increased accuracy, as other conditions can also raise ferritin levels.

These are not routine blood tests, and doctors usually only perform them if someone has a parent, child, or sibling with hemochromatosis. However, people may also undergo these tests if they have any of the following signs, symptoms, and conditions:. In people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol or those who have had many blood transfusions or hepatitis C, the results of these blood tests may suggest iron overload.

If a person receives early diagnosis and treatment, they usually have a normal life expectancy. They should have regular blood tests, though, and treatment typically continues for life. Usually, this will need to take place weekly until levels return to normal. When iron levels build up again, the person will need to repeat the treatment. Doctors may remove 1 pint of blood once or twice each week in the early stages of treatment.

After this, they may remove blood every 2—4 months. Phlebotomy cannot reverse cirrhosis, but it can improve symptoms, such as nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. It may also improve heart function and joint pain. Iron chelation therapy involves taking oral or injected medicine to remove excess iron from the body.

Medications can include a drug that binds the excess iron before the body excretes it. Although doctors do not tend to recommend this as a first-line treatment for hemochromatosis, it may be suitable for some people.

Other complications can include depression , gallbladder disease, and some cancers. Iron overload disorders, such as primary hemochromatosis, involve excess levels of iron building up in the body. Without treatment, the condition can cause serious complications, and it can be life threatening. With treatment, people can have a normal life expectancy, especially with early diagnosis and effective management.

Anemia is the most common blood disorder. The body does not have enough red blood cells and is unable to deliver enough oxygen around the body. A serum iron test can tell doctors whether a person has low, healthy, or high iron levels.