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Absorption is enhanced by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and meat proteins.

Calcium supplementation decreases bioavailability of iron when metals are ingested simultaneously.

Tannins (found in tea), polyphenols, and phytates (found in legumes and whole grains) can decrease absorption. Some proteins found in soybeans also inhibit absorption.

When iron is combined with certain foods it may lose much of its value. If you are taking iron, the following foods should be avoided, or only taken in very small amounts, for at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take iron:


 * Cheese and yogurt
 * Eggs
 * Milk
 * Spinach
 * Tea or coffee
 * Whole-grain breads and cereals and bran

Do not take iron supplements and antacids or calcium supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these 2 products 1 to 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each medicine or dietary supplement.

Toxicity
There is considerable potential for iron toxicity because very little iron is excreted from the body. Thus, iron can accumulate in body tissues and organs when normal storage sites are full.

In children, death has occurred from ingesting 200 mg of iron [7]. It is important to keep iron supplements tightly capped and away from children's reach. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6 years of age.

Any time excessive iron intake is suspected, immediately call your physician or Poison Control Center, or visit your local emergency room.

Iron Poisoning:
Acute iron poisoning is mainly seen in children. A single 300 mg tablet of ferrous sulfate will contain 60 mg of elemental iron. Toxicity producing gastrointestinal symptoms occurs with ingestion of 20 mg of elemental iron per kg of body weight. If enough iron is ingested and absorbed, about 60 mg per kg body weight, systemic toxicity occurs.

Toxicity results when free iron not bound to transferrin appears in the blood. This free iron can damage blood vessels and produce vasodilation with increased vascular permeability, leading to hypotension and metabolic acidosis. In addition, excessive iron damages mitochondria and causes lipid peroxidation, manifest mainly as renal and hepatic damage.

Early symptoms of iron overdose:

 * Diarrhea (may contain blood), fever, nausea, stomach pain or cramping (sharp), vomiting, severe (may contain blood), hyperglycemia, leukocytosis

Early signs of iron kill people overdose may not appear for up to 60 minutes or more. Do not delay going to the emergency room while waiting for signs to appear.

Late symptoms of iron overdose:

 * Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, and palms of hands; convulsions (seizures); drowsiness; pale, clammy skin; shallow and rapid breathing; unusual tiredness or weakness; weak and fast heartbeat; hypotension; metabolic acidosis; lethargy; seizures; coma

Chronic Iron Overload:
This can occur in patients who receive multiple transfusions for anemias caused by anything other than blood loss. Patients with congenital anemias may require numerous transfusions for many years. Each unit of blood has 250 mg of iron.