Our article last time on the study into the benefits of iron supplementation for women up to 55 years of age elicited several responses. Readers wanted to know the current thinking on iron supplements and if it was now considered safe for postmenopausal women.
Despite the new study, the present thinking maintains that iron supplementation for postmenopausal women, and all adult men, can be dangerous if taken long term. As postmenopausal women no longer have periods, it’s thought that they should not lose their iron stores. Iron overload can lead to genetic disorders and to cirrhosis of the liver and to heart failure.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to clarify this important point.