Iron Overdose and no Symptoms

Dear Ask The Doctor: I had an overdose on iron Februaury 13,2010 and showed no symptoms. We went to the emergency room and my iron level was 365. However, the doctors didnt do anything and until this day I had no symptoms. I went to the bathroom this morning and my stool was really bloody. What do I do?... Is this bad?... Or is this just a way for the iron to leave my system???

Dear Alexandra: If your iron level was taken 4 hrs post ingestion, it represents mild to moderate iron toxicity (350-500 mcg/dL). Iron in overdose is corrosive to the gastrointestinal tract and can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, vomiting blood and passing blood in the stools. This may occur just after ingestion, but overdose effects can last weeks with scarring of the healing gastrointestinal tract. I advise you attend your family doctor, for a clinical examination, blood tests and possible referral to a gastroenterologist. If however there is continued blood loss in the stools, or they are black and foul-smelling, or you feel dizzy, lightheaded or collapse, I advise you attend your local Emergency Room.