Iron overload

Updated: 2023-07-22

Too much iron in the body.

Overview

Iron overload is too much iron in the body. It can be caused by genetic conditions or immune system problems. It also can happen after the repeated blood transfusions needed to treat some types of anemia or chronic liver disease.

Symptoms

Some people with iron overload have no symptoms. Others may experience weakness, fatigue and weight loss. If organs and other tissues are damaged by iron overload, it can cause joint pain, irregular heartbeat and cirrhosis of the liver.

Treatments

Iron can be dropped to safe levels by regularly removing blood from the body. This is similar to donating blood. The process is known as phlebotomy.