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Why Being "Iron Man" Isn't Healthy
When it comes to iron, too much of a good thing is not a good thing.
Iron is essential for life as it is the keystone atom of the hemoglobin molecule. Hemoglobin transports oxygen throughout your body. Iron also helps to regulate cell growth, is vital for proper brain function, maintains metabolic balance and is also important for hormonal function. On top off all of that, iron is vital for proper immune function.
Iron levels have their own Goldilocks zone, not too much and not too little, but just right. Operating far outside of this Goldilocks zone can have serious health consequences. A significant problem is that iron deficiencies are commonly checked for, but excess iron is many times overlooked.
Did you know that excess iron can accelerate just about every major disease that we know of?
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The first sign of excess iron could be liver disease or cardiovascular disease.
Excess iron has a very easy solution, which is to periodically donate blood.
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There is a genetic disorder that can run in families, which is called hemochromatosis. This disease causes the body to accumulate dangerously high levels of iron. If left untreated, it can damage your organs and contribute to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and many other health problems.
Some useful lab tests to monitor iron levels are; serum iron levels, serum ferritin, GGT, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin and hemoglobin.
Anemia, fatigue, fibromyalgia, IBS, hypothyroidism, depression / anxiety, ADD, ADHD, Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative conditions, celiac disease, restless leg syndrome, hair loss, muscle weakness, decline in motor skills, mental changes and memory loss.
Health Problems Associated with High Iron:
Still's disease, hemochromatosis, hemophagocytic syndrome, anemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, premature aging, atherosclerosis, anorexia, Grave's disease, cardiac arrhythmia, cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), liver damage and liver disease.
You should get your iron checked at least once a year.