What is a common safety concern with high-dose iron supplements in adults?

• A. GI upset and risk of iron overload with long-term use
• B. Hair loss
• C. Kidney stones
• D. Skin rash

Answer: (A)

High-dose iron supplements in adults mainly raise two safety concerns. First, they commonly irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramps, constipation or diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting or dark stools. Second, if iron is taken in excess over a long period, it can accumulate in the body (iron overload), potentially damaging organs like the liver and heart. This is why, when iron therapy is needed long-term, monitoring of iron stores (for example, ferritin and transferrin saturation) and using the lowest effective dose are important. The other issues listed aren’t typical safety concerns with high-dose iron in adults, though allergic reactions or skin rashes can occur rarely in some individuals.