<<What are the signs one may be overloading on iron?>>

Deborah,

Excess iron is as damaging as a free radical and accumulates to higher
amounts in people with insulin resistance syndrome.

Excess iron can be stored in the thyroid, contributing to subclinical
hypothyroid  that clears almost immediately upon a blood letting. Similarly,
iron stores in the pancreas interfere with the function of the beta cells,
limiting insulin secretion and contributing to type 2 diabetes.

You should have about 500 mg of stored iron which corresponds to a serum
ferritin of 50 or lower (the amount of ferritin is about one-tenth that
stored in the body).  For example, if you have a ferritin level of 100
(ng/ml or ug/l), then 100 times 10 equals 1000 mg (or 1 g) or iron stored
away.

The average 50 year old man has about 1250 mg of stored iron.  The average
50 year old woman has about 500 mg of stored iron.  These numbers rise
sharply with age over 50.

The easiest way to shed your body of stored iron is to give blood to the Red
Cross.  Each unit of blood donated should reduce iron levels by 250 mg (or
20 to 25 ferritin units).

Number of Donations required to reduce Stored Iron
Ferritin level                    # of donations
75 to 100                                    1
<200                                            2
<300                                            3
<400                                            4
<500                                            5

source: The Protein Power LifePlan, 2000

Rob