Health Effects of Iron Overload and Benefits of Blood Donation (Updated 2026)

Iron overload—a buildup of extra iron—without treatment can permanently damage organs such as the liver, heart, and pancreas; endocrine glands; and joints.^[23] Excess Iron can also increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, and premature death.^[24]

In this article, we will cover the following topics:

• Negative health effects of iron overload
• Benefits of blood donation for most people
• Note that always consult a physician for ferritin testing, full iron panel, and any phlebotomy/donation plan. Self-managed aggressive reduction risks anemia.

Serum Ferritin Test

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and acts as a buffer against iron deficiency and iron overload. It is found in most tissues as a cytosolic protein, but small amounts are secreted into the serum where it functions as an iron carrier. Therefore, plasma ferritin is a good indirect marker of the total amount of iron stored in your body. However, ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant, meaning levels can rise due to inflammation, infection, liver disease, or malignancy, even without true iron overload.

Premenopausal women generally have lower serum ferritin than men because of menstrual blood loss, with typical averages around 25–50 ng/mL. Men of the same age often show higher levels, roughly 100–150 ng/mL. Clinical guidelines usually flag possible iron overload when ferritin is consistently above 300 ng/mL in men or above 200 ng/mL in premenopausal (and postmenopausal) women, especially when transferrin saturation exceeds 45%. 

To confirm iron overload, always work with a physician (such as a hematologist or gastroenterologist) to obtain:

• A full iron panel (ferritin and transferrin saturation)
• HFE genetic testing when appropriate
• C282Y homozygosity—the main genetic risk for hereditary hemochromatosis—is most common in people of Northern European ancestry (about 1 in 200–500, and even higher in Ireland), while it is rare to extremely rare in Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians. Because penetrance is low, genetic testing is recommended only for those with elevated iron markers or a family history, rather than for routine population screening.
• Evaluation for secondary causes such as inflammation, alcohol use, or obesity-related conditions

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice; always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about testing, blood donation, or iron management.

Potential Risks of Confirmed Excess Iron 

• Mitochondrial damage: Iron builds up in mitochondria, generating ROS and causing lipid, protein, and mtDNA damage.^[22]
• Obesity: Higher ferritin predicts future weight gain and obesity, even after adjusting for inflammation.^[16-18]
• Increased infection risk: Excess iron fuels bacterial, fungal, and protozoal growth, weakening the body’s “nutritional immunity.”^[19]
• Diabetes: Elevated ferritin is strongly linked to higher type 2 diabetes risk due to oxidative stress on beta cells.^[13-15]
• Cardiovascular disease: High heme‑iron intake and excess iron promote LDL oxidation and endothelial injury, raising stroke and heart‑disease risk.^[11,12,15]
• Neurodegenerative diseases: Iron accumulation contributes to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related disorders by promoting toxic protein aggregation.^[8-10,27]
• Cancer: Ferritin is often elevated in cancers and correlates with worse outcomes, largely reflecting inflammation or tumor activity.^[4-7]
• Osteoporosis: Excess iron increases bone breakdown and oxidative stress, contributing to bone loss, especially in hemochromatosis.^[3]

These risks are best documented in cases of true iron overload rather than mild elevations. Most harm stems from oxidative stress, particularly through the Fenton reaction. The evidence is largely associative, and clear causation is not well established outside severe overload.

Video 1.  Australian man with 'golden arm' makes final blood donation at 81 (YouTube link)

Blood Donation

Your body has limited natural excretion of iron (~1–2 mg/day), so buildup can occur from genetics, repeated transfusions, or excessive intake. The most effective, safe, and low-cost method for confirmed overload in non-anemic patients is blood removal via regular blood donation (if eligible) or therapeutic phlebotomy (doctor-prescribed).  

Each standard unit (~450–500 mL whole blood) removes approximately 200–250 mg of iron. Ferritin typically drops ~30–50 ng/mL per unit, varying by individual.

Potential Additional Benefits of Blood Donation

• Longevity & ferritin: Lower iron stores may reduce oxidative stress, but there’s no solid proof that blood donation increases lifespan.
• Cancer risk: Donors often show lower cancer rates, possibly due to lower iron or the “healthy donor effect.” Evidence from randomized trials is limited.^[7]
• Cardiovascular health: Some older studies suggested fewer heart attacks and strokes in frequent donors, but newer research shows mixed or minimal effects.
• Insulin sensitivity: Lowering iron through donation may temporarily improve insulin sensitivity and slightly reduce diabetes risk in some studies.^[15]
• Other possible benefits: Small improvements in blood pressure, lipids, or oxidative stress have been reported. Donors also receive routine health screenings.

Note that these benefits are not guaranteed and mostly come from observational data. Frequent donation can cause iron deficiency, especially in premenopausal women, so medical guidance is essential.

This updated table is precautionary but avoids over-reduction, reflecting Mercola's balanced, evolved perspective. Always prioritize medical advice over general tables—excessive donation risks anemia.^[22,29]

References

1. China liver problems boost demand for US blood plasma
2. Four Unexpected Benefits of Donating Blood
3. L. Valenti et al., "Association between Iron Overload and Osteoporosis in Patients with Hereditary Hemochromatosis," Osteoporosis International, 20, no. 4 (April, 2009): 549-55.
4. A. A. Alkhateeb and J. R. Connor, "The Significance of Ferritin in Cancer: Anti-Oxidation, Inflammation and Tumorigenesis," Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1836, no. 2 (Dec 2013):245-54.
5. J. I. Wurzelmann et al., "Iron Intake and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer," Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, 5, no. 7 (July 1, 1996): 503-7. PMID: 8827353.
6. Y. Deugnier, "Iron and Liver Cancer," Alcohol, 30, no. 2 (2003): 145-50.
7. L. R. Zacharski et al., "Decreased Cancer Risk after Iron Reduction in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease: Results from a Randomized Trial," JNCI:Journal of National Cancer Institute, 100, no. 14 (2008): 996-1002.
8. M. A. Lovell et al., "Copper, Iron and Zinc in Alzheimer's Disease Senile Plaques," Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 158, no. 1 (June 11, 1998): 47-52.
9. K. Jellinger et al., "Brain Iron and Ferritin in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases," Journal of Neural Transmission, 2 (1990): 327.
10. G. Bartzokis et al., "Brain Ferritin Iron as a Risk Factor for Age at Onset in Neurodegenerative Diseases," Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1012, (2004): 224-36.
11. B, J, Van Lenten et al., "Lipid-Induced Changes in Intracellular Iron Homeostasis in Vitro and in Vivo," Journal of Clinical Investigation, 95, no. 5 (1995): 2104-10.
12. N. Stadler, R. A. Lindner, and M. J. Davies, "Direct Detection and Quantiication of Transition Metal Ions in Human Atheroslerotic Plaques: Evidence for the Presence of Elevated Levels of Iron and Coper," Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 24 (2004): 949-54.
13. J. M. Fernandez-Real et al., "Serum Ferritin as a Component of the Insulin Resistance Syndrome," Diabetes Care, 21, no. 1 (1998): 62-68.
14. J. Montonen et al., "Body Iron Stores and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam Study," Diabetologia, 55, no. 10 (2012): 2613-21.
15. J. M. Fernandez-Real, A. Lopez-Bermejo, and W. Ricart, "Iron Stores, Blood Donation, and Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion," Clinical Chemistry, 51, no. 7 (June 2005): 1201-5.
16. D. J. Fleming et al., "Dietary Factors Associated with the Risk of High Iron Stores n the Elderly Framingham Heart Study Cohort," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 76, no. 6 (2002): 1375-84.
17. T. Iwasaki et al., "Serum Ferritin Is Associated with Visceral Fat Area and Subcutaneous Fat Area," Diabetes Care, 28, no. 10 (2005): 2486-91.
18. S. K. Park et al., "Association between Serum Ferritin Levels and the Incidence of Obesity in Korean Men: A Prospective Cohort Study," Endocrine Journal, 61, no. 3 (2014): 215-24.
19. G. Ortiz-Estrada et al., "Iron-Saturated Lactoferrin and Pathogenic Protozoa: Could This Protein Be and Iron Source for Their Parasitic Style of Life?" Future Microbioloty, 7, no. 1 (2012): 149-64.
20. L. Zacharski, "Ferrotoxic Disease: The Next Great Public Health Challenge," Clinical Chemistry, 60, no. 11 (November 2014): 1362-4.
21. P. Mangan, Dumping Iron: How to Ditch This Secret Killer and Reclaim Your Health, Phalanx Press, 2016, locations 308-12.
22. Fat for Fuel (Dr. Mercola)
23. What is hemochromatosis?
24. Dietary Iron Overload as a Risk Factor for HepatocellularCarcinoma in Black Africans
• Among 24 patients, the risk of developing HCC in the iron-loaded subjects was 10.6-fold relative to individuals with normal iron status.
25. Kaluza J, Wolk A, Larsson SC. Heme iron intake and risk of stroke: a prospective study of men. Stroke. 2013 Feb;44(2):334-9.
26. Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Regenerative Therapies (Travel to Health)
27. Normal prion protein regulates iron metabolism
28. Influence of Iron on Bone Homeostasis
29. Diagnosis and Management of Hemochromatosis: 2011 Practice Guideline