Can Diarrhea Result From An Iron Deficiency?

Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition where low iron levels result in a lack of red blood cells to carry oxygen to various parts of the body. It is not known if low iron levels cause diarrhea, but it may be a symptom of a digestive condition causing low iron levels and possibly other vitamins and minerals. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia may include blood in the stool, chronic bloating, constipation, diarrhea, inability to hold the stool, heartburn, stomach pain, and stomach discomfort.

Other conditions or actions that cause blood loss could also lead to iron deficiency anemia. Low iron levels can affect IBS by causing fatigue, weakness, and digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Iron deficiency can even cause symptoms in the absence of anemia, such as diarrhea with black, tarry stools or if the blood is clotting.

Anemia can lead to increased morbidity for the patient, and some people have side-effects when taking iron, such as feeling sick (nausea), an upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhea. It is important to consult a doctor if you experience symptoms similar to those of diarrhea or mixed diarrhea with constipation.

Is diarrhea a symptom of high iron?

Excessive iron can be damaging to the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms of iron toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. Over time, iron can accumulate in the organs, and cause fatal damage to the liver or brain.

Toxic cellular effects occur as well. Oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial function can be hindered by large amounts of iron, leading to death of cells. Iron toxicity primarily affects the liver, but other organs and the blood may also be affected.

Metabolic acidosis occurs due to fluid loss, dilation of the blood vessels and an anaerobic metabolism due to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation.

Iron Overload. Iron overload is a condition that can develop over time, particularly in people who receive many red blood cell transfusions, such as patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, thalassemia, or sickle cell disease.

Does iron affect bowel movements?

People may take iron to help treat iron deficiency anemia or to supplement their diet. However, oral iron supplements may cause or worsen constipation. Experts suggest that unabsorbed iron in the gut may cause stools to harden and other gastrointestinal side effects, such as pain and bloating.

A person should consult a doctor before supplementing iron or if they think they have constipation. Eating fiber, staying hydrated, and being physically active may help avoid constipation. A doctor may also recommend medications to soften stools or make bowel movements easier.

Is diarrhea a symptom of too much iron?

Stage 1 (within 6 hours after the overdose): Symptoms include vomiting, vomiting blood, diarrhea, abdominal pain, irritability, and drowsiness. If poisoning is very serious, rapid breathing, a rapid heart rate, coma, unconsciousness, seizures, and low blood pressure may develop.

Stage 2 (6 to 48 hours after the overdose): The person’s condition can appear to improve.

Stage 3 (12 to 48 hours after the overdose): Very low blood pressure (shock), fever, bleeding, jaundice, liver failure, metabolic acidosis, and seizures can develop.

What are anemic periods like?

Signs that heavy periods might be causing anemia A heavy period means needing to change a tampon or pad within 2 hours of use or if the discharge includes blood clots the size of a quarter or larger. If heavy periods are causing anemia, people may experience: fatigue. weakness.

Heavy or prolonged periods can cause iron deficiency anemia. Anemia may impact periods, but this requires further research.

Iron deficiency anemia occurs if people do not have enough iron in the body for it to make healthy red blood cells. Heavier or longer periods can cause iron deficiency anemia.

This article examines the link between anemia and periods, treatment and prevention for irregular periods and anemia, and when to contact a doctor.

Can too much iron in your diet cause diarrhea?

Can iron be harmful?. Yes, iron can be harmful if you get too much. In healthy people, taking high doses of iron supplements (especially on an empty stomach) can cause an upset stomach, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Large amounts of iron might also cause more serious effects, including inflammation of the stomach lining and ulcers. High doses of iron can also decrease zinc absorption. Extremely high doses of iron (in the hundreds or thousands of mg) can cause organ failure, coma, convulsions, and death. Child-proof packaging and warning labels on iron supplements have greatly reduced the number of accidental iron poisonings in children.

Some people have an inherited condition called hemochromatosis that causes toxic levels of iron to build up in their bodies. Without medical treatment, people with hereditary hemochromatosis can develop serious problems such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and heart disease. People with this disorder should avoid using iron supplements and vitamin C supplements.

The daily upper limits for iron include intakes from all sources—food, beverages, and supplements—and are listed below. A doctor might prescribe more than the upper limit of iron to people who need higher doses for a while to treat iron deficiency.

Do iron tablets cause diarrhea?

However, iron tablets can upset your stomach, causing either constipation or diarrhoea, indigestion or stomach pain. If you experience these side effects, try taking your iron tablets with or after meals. You can also try taking them every other day.

What color is your period blood when your iron is low?

Anaemia. Anaemia, a condition caused by low iron levels, can also cause pink period blood. ‘Iron is what gives the blood its red colour, and blood may become lighter if iron is low,’ explains Dr Rosén.

Spotting. ‘Light blood loss either during or in between periods is called spotting. While this can be any colour, it can sometimes be light-pink due to the lighter nature of the bleeding’ explains Dr Rosén.

• Ovulation
• A tear to the vaginal wall during sex
• Sexually transmitted infections, like chlamydia
• Hormonal contraceptives
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Fibroids or polyps (non-cancerous growths in the womb)
• Cancers of the cervix, uterus, vulva or vagina

What hurts when your iron is low?

How does iron-deficiency anemia affect my body?. Iron-deficiency anemia symptoms happen over time. Initially, you may have low iron and feel fine or have symptoms that are so mild you don’t notice them. Left untreated, however, iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency can cause you to have unusual cravings for non-food items such as ice, dirt or paper.

How does iron-deficiency anemia develop?. Normally, your body brings in a steady flow of iron from the food you eat. Your body stores excess iron so it’s available as needed to make hemoglobin. Iron-deficiency anemia develops when your body uses the iron stores faster than they can be refilled, or when the flow of iron into your system has slowed. This occurs in three stages:

• First stage: Iron stores are depleted. In this stage, the supply of iron to make new hemoglobin and red blood cells is dwindling but hasn’t yet affected your red blood cells.
• Second stage: When iron stores are low, the normal process of making red blood cells is altered. You develop what’s called iron-deficient erythropoiesis, sometimes called latent iron deficiency. Erythropoiesis is the medical term for the process of producing new red blood cells. In this stage, your bone marrow makes red blood cells without enough hemoglobin.
• Third stage: Iron-deficiency anemia develops because there isn’t enough iron to make hemoglobin for red blood cells. In this stage, the hemoglobin concentration will drop below the normal range. This is when you may begin noticing iron-deficiency anemia symptoms.

Does low iron cause diarrhea?

Low iron levels can affect IBS by causing fatigue, weakness, and digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. These effects can further complicate IBS management.

Digestive problems such as irritable bowel disease, celiac disease, and gastrointestinal bleeding can cause anemia by reducing your body’s ability to absorb iron or causing blood loss.

Yes, you can take iron supplements when your IBS is in remission. But it’s important to speak with a doctor first, as some forms of iron supplements may worsen IBS symptoms.

How can I flush iron out of my body?

This involves taking medicine that removes iron from your blood and releases it into your urine or poo.

Commonly used medicines are deferasirox and desferrioxamine.

Deferasirox is unlicensed for the treatment of haemochromatosis, which means it has not undergone extensive clinical trials for this use. But your doctor may recommend it if they feel the possible benefits outweigh any risks.

Diet and alcohol. You do not need to make any big changes to your diet, such as avoiding all foods containing iron, if you have haemochromatosis.