<<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.