It is absorbed in the small intestine and stored in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and blood. Iron is needed to metabolize B vitamins. Anemia and fatigue most common in infants and among women of reproductive age, frequent sickness or infections and chronic malaise. Adult men and women - deficiency may be caused by internal bleeding through ulcers, intestinal polyps, or hemorrhoids, too much aspirin or too much alcohol can contribute to iron deficiency. High doses of vitamin E can interfere with iron absorption.
Excess iron can deplete phosphorus.
Iron can accumulate to dangerous levels in patients with chonic kidney failure, Hodgkin's disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Prolonged use of high doses of iron can cause hemochromatosis and lead to diabetes, liver damage, impotence, heart problems and skin bronzing. Abdominal pain, black or gray stool, bloody stool, drowsiness, can stain teeth in liquid form, throat pain. Iron increases the absorption of calcium and copper. Vitamin C increases iron's effectiveness.