Anemic with Iron Overload?

It's true, you can be anemic with iron overload.

Anemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin levels are too low. Blood transfusions are often given to increase hemoglobin levels. The healthy red blood cells you receive during a transfusion give you more hemoglobin, which helps your blood carry more oxygen. This is one reason people with anemia feel better after they receive a transfusion.

However, if you have anemia and have had 10 or more transfusions during your lifetime, then you may be at risk for iron overload.

This seems mind boggeling especially since your body is depleted of iron. Well, in simple terms, a lot of anemics only need 1 transfusion and their levels are restored and are fine the rest of their life. In my may case, I have had transfusions and iron infusions, yet my counts are still extremely low. Therefore, I do not run the risk of iron overload.

We know the risk of being anemic, so are their side effects of too much iron? YES! Just as severe as not having enough. As iron builds up in the body, it can lead to serious health problems, such as a weakened immune system, diabetes, and heart failure.

Iron is good for you—in the right amount. Iron helps your body work properly. But too much iron can be harmful. If you have had 10 or more blood transfusions, you may have too much iron in your body. That's because every time you have a transfusion, you get healthy red blood cells that your body needs. But you also get extra iron that your body doesn't need.

Iron cannot be removed from the blood before the transfusion. Iron helps red blood cells do their job. Without iron, the healthy red blood cells that you get during your transfusion won't be able to carry oxygen. But your body doesn't have a natural way to get rid of this iron. Over time the iron builds up in your body causing a condition called iron overload.

Too much iron naturally, or Hemochromatosis (HHC), is also a serious disorder that is from an increased iron absorbtion rate in the diet. HHC can lead to another host of diseases including diabetes mellitus, irregular heart beat or heart attack, arthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis), cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer, depression, impotence, infertility, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and some cancers. Mismanaged iron in the brain is seen in those patients with neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's, early onset Parkinson's, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease.

In short, it's important to understand that your body has a fine balance of nutrients and minerals that it needs to function. Know your body and know when it's time to see your doctor. Only they can determine what the true issue is, but you must be pro-active in being healthy and understanding your body.