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Iron overload (also known as haemochromatosis or hemochromatosis) is the abnormal and increased accumulation of total iron in the body, leading to organ damage. [1] The primary mechanism of organ damage is oxidative stress, as elevated intracellular iron levels increase free radical formation via the Fenton reaction.
[1] [4] In cases where high doses of elemental iron have been ingested and the patient is exhibiting signs and symptoms of severe systemic iron poisoning, supportive care measures like volume resuscitation and deferoxamine should be initiated immediately. [4] A quick response to iron poisoning can significantly improve clinical outcomes.
Serum ferritin is a low cost, readily available, and minimally invasive method for assessing body iron stores. However, the major problem with using it as an indicator of hemosiderosis is that it can be elevated in a range of other medical conditions unrelated to iron levels including infection, inflammation, fever, liver disease, renal disease ...
The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia, in which a lack of iron leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin. This can impair oxygen transport throughout the body.
If excess iron in the heart interferes with its ability to circulate enough blood, a number of problems can occur, including (potentially fatal) congestive heart failure. The condition may be reversible when haemochromatosis is treated and excess iron stores are reduced.
There is a popular misconception that only heavy metals can be toxic, but lighter metals such as beryllium and lithium can be toxic too. [3] Not all heavy metals are particularly toxic, and some are essential, such as iron. The definition may also include trace elements when abnormally high doses may be toxic.
Erythrocytapheresis filters red blood cells from the blood. Chelation therapy removes iron from the blood. [5] This involves delivering iron chelating agents such as deferoxamine, deferiprone or deferasirox. [5] If iron overload has caused damage to end-organs, this is generally irreversible and may require transplantation. [clarification needed]
Iron is an important topic in prenatal care because women can sometimes become iron-deficient from the increased iron demands of pregnancy. Functional or actual iron deficiency can result from a variety of causes. These causes can be grouped into several categories: Increased demand for iron, which the diet cannot accommodate.