Joint pain and even organ failure: iron overdose can be life-threatening. Normal iron levels are between 60 and 180 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dl) of blood serum in healthy adult women and 70 - 180 μg/dl in adult and healthy men.
Healthy adults can usually meet their iron needs through their diet. Foods containing iron include legumes, meat and green leafy vegetables. Iron supplements should never be taken without a doctor's recommendation. Only a blood test shows whether there is an iron deficiency.