If there is not enough iron to make enough hemoglobin there will not be enough oxygen carried to the cells. The heart will have to work faster to transport needed oxygen. There may be palpitations upon exercising and shortness of breath occurs. The brain will not have enough oxygen. Memory may be affected.
Children exhibit poor behavior in school.
The deficiency disease is called Anemia. However, if for some reason such as alcoholism intestinal cells are damaged, excess iron acts as an oxidant that can start free-radical reactions that can damage cell structure. Iron supplements can be dangerous and should always be kept away from children. Iron supplements are the number one cause of fatal accidental poisonings amoung U.S. children under three years old. HEME iron is found in red meat, dark meat of poultry, black-strap molasses, and egg yolks.