My Daughter Is 25 Years Old And Recently Had A

Posted on Sat, 6 Jul 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 6 Jul 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter is 25 years old and recently had a swollen lymph node in her neck. Her doctor put her on iron supplement but her levels were not low. Since then she has not been feeling well and wondering if it is possible to have too much iron in your system?

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (-5 hours later)

a few weeks after taking iron she has started having issues she never experienced before like numbness in arms and legs, pins and needles, and heaviness in chest and raciness

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Iron supplements not needed if not proved iron deficiency anemia.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I think it is not a good idea to take iron supplements if a person doesn't need it such in case of iron deficiency anemia. The doctor should have tested her doing a total blood count and formula and also ferritin levels. If the ferritin was low and also haemoglobin levels were low then iron was needed. The elevated levels of iron in blood may cause symptoms of abdominal pain, fatigue, cramps etc.
A swollen lymph node in neck is possible a sign of infection such tonsillitis, skin infection etc.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (6 hours later)

Do you have to wean off iron supplement or can just stop it all together ? Would like to stop the iron to see if there any improvements in the symptoms.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
She can stop iron right away.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again . She can stop iron right away, there is no need to lower dosage gradually.
She will not experience withdrawal symptoms.
The improvement will come gradually as the iron levels of body lower down.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D