Iron Deficiency and Iron Overload Disease
Iron disorders such as iron overload disease, iron deficiency and anemia have serious effects on the growth of human cells, oxygen transportation and the replication of DNA. With too little iron, a host of metabolic functions cannot operate effectively, while too much iron can damage the internal organs.
Types of Iron Disorders
Iron disorders can be broadly divided into two categories: iron deficiency disorders and iron overload disease. Both categories of iron disorders can result from genetic defects, excessive or insufficient dietary iron or environmental factors. Chemotherapy, exposure to toxic chemicals and natural body processes such as menstruation can all result in iron disorders.
Iron Deficiency and Anemia
An iron deficiency occurs when the body has insufficient iron reserves. Initially, a minor iron deficiency produces no symptoms. Iron deficiency symptoms appear only when iron reserves drop to very low levels and the body is unable to produce sufficient amounts of red blood cells. At this point, iron deficiency leads to anemia.
In addition to iron deficiency anemia, other forms of anemia include:
- sickle cell anemia
- pernicious anemia
- thalassemia
- folic acid deficiency.
Iron Deficiency and Pregnancy
Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to
iron deficiency, as they require a sufficient amount of iron to meet their own metabolic needs and those of the growing fetus. During pregnancy, a woman requires up to thirty milligrams of daily of dietary iron to avoid iron deficiency. Many women require iron supplements to meet this demand.
Iron Overload Disease
Iron overload disease describes a collection of iron disorders that occur when the body's cells store too much iron. Excessive absorption of dietary iron causes some iron overload diseases. Other cases of iron overload occur when the body lacks the ability to properly transport iron. Iron overload disease can cause extensive organ damage almost anywhere in the body.
Examples of iron overload disease include:
- hemochromatosis
- bantu siderosis
- pulmonary hemosiderosis
- aceruloplasminemia
- atransferrinemia.
Iron supplements, often advised for iron deficiency, can cause iron overload disease if used improperly. Even during pregnancy when women require large amounts of dietary iron, iron supplements should be taken only under the guidance of a doctor to avoid iron overload disease.
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