Iron overload increases the risk of life-threatening complications
KNOW
the risks of transfusional iron overload
Iron overload increases the risk of cardiac events, liver cirrhosis, renal failure and other life-threatening complications.
MONITOR
iron levels regularly
Help them stay on track by monitoring their iron level regularly.
TALK
about body iron load
Educating your patient, their family and the rest of their healthcare team is essential to optimize patient care.
Get inspired by others living with iron overload
See Tyler’s story
See Ismäel's story
Quick reminder
One unit of blood contains approximately 200 mg of heme iron. That’s > 100x the amount absorbed from the diet daily.
In cases where a patient with transfusion-dependent anemias requiring 2 units of blood per month would receive 20 g of iron after 4 years. That’s > 7x the normal total body mass of iron.
The number of blood transfusions is a predictor of iron overload. Ask patients to keep track of any transfusions they receive.