Your immune system protects your body from infections caused by germs. It helps prevent you from getting sick and prevents cuts and scrapes from becoming infected.
Your immune system is made up of many types of cells, including white blood cells, that work together to attack germs that enter your body. Some immune cells, like white blood cells, surround invading germs and destroy them.
When you have too much iron, the cells of your immune system can't work properly and are less able to kill invading germs. When your immune system can't do its job, you are more likely to get infections and you also might get sick more often.
People can have iron overload and have no symptoms. Other people may mistake the signs and symptoms of iron overload for other conditions. For this reason, people with iron overload often don't know they have it until they have serious health problems.
If you've had or are having blood transfusions, be sure to ask your doctor about iron overload and how it may affect your immune system. A simple blood test called the serum ferritin test can tell your doctor how much iron is in your body. If your serum ferritin level continues to be over 1000 mcg/L (micrograms per liter), you have iron overload and should talk with your doctor about treatment options.
