Advice on iron intake..?

ljones27uk

Hi all,
Ive been losing weight steadily for the 82 days I've been logging on MFP, so am absolutely over the moon to have found this site/app. One thing I've noticed is that my iron intake is often a fraction of my RDA and therefore I have started taking an iron supplement (14mg a day versus my RDA of 8mg as a 35 yr old male). However the supplement takes me +200% sometimes and I understand too much can be bad. Does anyone know if too much iron is worse than not enough, and also if it has any bearing on weight loss? I cant decide whether to carry on taking them or not. I know that altering my diet to get the right iron intake naturally is the best idea, but failing that do I go too much iron, or not enough...
Would appreciate advice from anyone knowledgeable in this area.
Thanks

yarwell

The iron entries in the database would be the first thing to check, my starting point would be that half of them are missing and I would check the other half for accuracy.

Too much iron by supplements might cause constipation, I vaguely remember.

psuLemon

I would be careful with taking an iron supplement if your doctor didn't put you on one because having too much iron can be just as big of an issue as too little. Honestly, vitamins are not an issue (you will pee out the excess), its the metals that are more concerning.

mitch16

Overdosing on iron is pretty serious. As iron is fat-soluble you don't simply 'pee it out' like other nutrients--it will build up in your liver and can cause liver failure. You may want to consult your physician on whether you actually need it (if you are actually anemic). Otherwise I would suggest only taking a supplement every couple days rather than every day (disclaimer: I am not a doctor).

The potential for iron overdose is precisely the reason that children's vitamins never contain iron--because the are candy-like, children may inadvertently overdose, and the iron can cause very dire illness.

ljones27uk

Thanks everyone for the advice, going to stop taking them and take a better look at the database compared to actual iron content in the food I'm eating. Cheers

_Zardoz_

Most entries on the database do not include iron as it's not a legal requirement on most food labeling that along with people just not entering means MFP is not a good way to monitor things like iron. If you have worries speak to your doctor