<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Here's some important little-known information about iron:

Hemochromatosis, blood-iron overload, is, according the the American
Medical Association and the Center for Disease Control, the most common
genetic disease in the United States, affecting approximately 1 in 200
people.  It is caused by some inability of the body to properly assimilate
iron.  As a person with hemochromatisis ages, iron accumulates in his or
her body to toxic levels, causing problems in all body systems.  Symptoms
can include fatigue, mental confusion, cancers of all sorts especially
liver, heart palpitations, hypothyroidism.  One trademark symptom (not
everyone gets it) is a bronzed appearance to the skin.  This is a
relativey common disease but is little known.  Doctors usually do not test
for it; insurance companies generally will not cover the costs of testing
or treatment.  The good news is that, although there is no cure, there is
an easy, cheap, and totally effective treatment: phlebotomy, or
blood-letting (what you do when you donate blood).  The American Medical
Association has a policy statement on hemochromatosis which is on the Web
(do a search on HotBot or call the AMA for address; I've lost it, sorry!).
The policy statement includes the AMA's position that universal and
routine testing for hemochromatosis would be a cost-effective measure.

If you are experiencing unexplained problems with your health it may be
worthwhile to look into getting tested for Hemochromatosis.  Make sure you
find out yourself what the necessary tests are as doctors often don't know
and may think a simple blood iron test is sufficient.  This disorder is
more common among those with ancestry in the British Isles, I believe.