Dietary supplements are meant to support health, so it may come as a surprise that some can lead to a type of poisoning if taken in excessive amounts, especially in children.
Most people don’t suspect an over-the-counter product can cause an overdose, says Dr. Ashely Alker, an emergency medicine physician in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
But in her new book, “99 Ways to Die: And How to Avoid Them,” she highlights the dangers of a mineral that’s a common ingredient in some multivitamins.
Expert Tip of the Day: Be Careful With Supplements Containing Iron
Iron can be harmful in large amounts and is particularly dangerous for children, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Most people who take iron get it in a multivitamin or in women’s prenatal vitamins, which can be in the form of gummies that look and taste delicious, Alker said.
“That’s very dangerous for young kids, especially because they don’t need very much to overdose,” Alker previously told TODAY.com.
“For babies, infants, toddlers and kids, if they eat a handful of those, that can be an overdose for them. So anything with iron in it should be locked up.”
Why It Matters
An overdose of iron supplements can be life-threatening, especially in kids, who can quickly reach a toxic dose due to their small body size, according to the National Capital Poison Center.
The highest iron content is found in prenatal multivitamins, so serious poisoning can happen to toddlers in a household with a new baby, where mom was taking the supplements, the center warns.
High doses of iron can cause an upset stomach, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the National Institutes of Health.
After that, “the blood turns to acid, and the iron causes bleeding and liver, heart and kidney dysfunction,” Alker writes in her book.
Extremely high doses of iron — hundreds or thousands of milligrams compared to the 8-18 milligrams adults need in a day — can cause organ failure, coma, convulsions and death, the NIH warns.
How to Get Started
Iron is important for good health, but it’s important to take it in the right amounts. High-iron foods can help.
Prevent an iron overdose by keeping any adult supplements away from kids. Alker recommends locking up the tablets and gummies so they’re out of sight and out of reach.
Children’s multivitamins contain very little or no iron at all, the National Capital Poison Center notes.
If you suspect iron poisoning, get medical help. An intravenous antidote is available at the hospital, but it must be used early, Alker notes.
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