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• Iron Overload
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(For iron poisoning, see Poisoning: Iron Poisoning.)

Iron (Fe) in excess of bodily needs is deposited in tissues:

• Hemosiderosis is focal deposition of iron that does not cause tissue damage.
• Hemochromatosis (iron overload) is a typically systemic process in which iron deposition can cause tissue damage.

Iron overload may result from primary hemochromatosis (a genetic disorder of iron metabolism), from excess oral intake or absorption of iron, or from repeated blood transfusions. Morbidity is mainly due to iron accumulation in the endocrine organs (especially the pancreas, gonads, and pituitary), liver, and heart.

Last full review/revision November 2009 by Eugene P. Frenkel, MD

Content last modified November 2009