Pork, roast, lean 3 mg 1 cup Prunes, cooked 5 mg 8 oz. From 1983 to 1990, iron tablets alone were the leading cause of death due to accidental drug overdose in children under three. These figures come from the American Association of Poison Control Centers. If a child survives the iron drug overdose, its problems may just be starting. Liver damage, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, swelling in the brain, blurred vision and lack of coordination are just a few problems caused by iron overdoses.
Anemia is a serious condition and needs medical attention.
It is usually not safe to self-medicate with any drug. Women of child-bearing years are at risk of anemia because iron is lost in monthly menstrual cycles. Those over fifty maybe at risk because of low levels of gastric acid, which aids in iron absorption. Others may be at risk because of low iron intake. Iron is a vital mineral needed by the body to make hemoglobin, which is used to transport oxygen to all the cells in the body.