Iron Heavy Metal Toxicity Home Test Kit

Iron is an essential nutrient that is vital to the processes by which cells generate energy. Iron can also be damaging when it accumulates in the body. In fact, iron is a problem nutrient for millions of people. Some people simply don't eat enough iron containing foods to support their health optimally, while others have so much iron that it threatens their well-being. The principle that too little or too much of a nutrient is harmful seems particularly apropos for iron.

The body normally absorbs less iron if its stores are full, but some individuals are poorly defended against iron toxicity. Once considered rare, iron overload has emerged as an important disorder of iron metabolism.

Iron overload is known as hemochromatosis and is usually caused by a gene that enhances iron absorption. Other causes of iron overload include repeated blood transfusions, massive doses of dietary iron, and rare metabolic disorders. Additionally, long term over consumption of iron may cause hemosiderosis, a condition characterized by large deposits of the iron storage protein hemosiderin in the liver and other tissues.

Iron overload is most often diagnosed when tissue damage occurs, especially in iron-storing organs, such as the liver. Infections are likely to develop because bacteria thrive on iron rich blood. Ironically, some of the signs of iron overload are analogous to those of iron deficiency: fatigue, headache, irritability, and lowered work performance. Therefore, taking supplements before measuring iron status is clearly unwise.

Iron Heavy Metal Test Kit Instructions