Iron Mettle: Unveiling an Unusual Incidental Case Report of Esophageal Ulcer

Introduction: Erosive damage to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract caused by therapeutic oral iron supplements is relatively uncommon. While such injuries are frequently linked to overdoses of oral iron, they can also occur with doses within the standard therapeutic range. Cases have h...

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Main Authors: Akshi Raj, Mangesh Londhe, Yogesh Bade, Madhuri Singh, Charusheela Gore, Anuj Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2025-03-01
Series:Case Reports in Gastroenterology
Online Access:https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000544108
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author Akshi Raj
Mangesh Londhe
Yogesh Bade
Madhuri Singh
Charusheela Gore
Anuj Sharma
author_facet Akshi Raj
Mangesh Londhe
Yogesh Bade
Madhuri Singh
Charusheela Gore
Anuj Sharma
author_sort Akshi Raj
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Erosive damage to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract caused by therapeutic oral iron supplements is relatively uncommon. While such injuries are frequently linked to overdoses of oral iron, they can also occur with doses within the standard therapeutic range. Cases have highlighted GI complications caused by iron, predominantly involving the stomach and sometimes the esophagus. During absorption, iron is initially processed as ferrous iron, which, when bound to proteins, can lead to cellular injury. Additionally, ferric iron exerts a corrosive effect on the GI mucosa and disrupts cellular processes by generating free radicals and triggering lipid peroxidation. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old female with dysphagia, pain, and anorexia showed linear to circumferential ulcers covered with white slough extensively around central esophagus with thickened and erythematous mucosa with focal erosions on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Conclusion: This case highlights a rare case report of iron-induced esophageal ulcer found incidentally and the significance of acknowledging that iron preparations can harm the esophageal mucosa, especially in an Indian population where anemia is fairly predominant.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Karger Publishers
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series Case Reports in Gastroenterology
spelling doaj-art-9139cebe0d5c426fb7637f99e2c4cc4d2025-08-20T03:09:47ZengKarger PublishersCase Reports in Gastroenterology1662-06312025-03-0119118418910.1159/000544108Iron Mettle: Unveiling an Unusual Incidental Case Report of Esophageal UlcerAkshi RajMangesh LondheYogesh BadeMadhuri SinghCharusheela GoreAnuj Sharma Introduction: Erosive damage to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract caused by therapeutic oral iron supplements is relatively uncommon. While such injuries are frequently linked to overdoses of oral iron, they can also occur with doses within the standard therapeutic range. Cases have highlighted GI complications caused by iron, predominantly involving the stomach and sometimes the esophagus. During absorption, iron is initially processed as ferrous iron, which, when bound to proteins, can lead to cellular injury. Additionally, ferric iron exerts a corrosive effect on the GI mucosa and disrupts cellular processes by generating free radicals and triggering lipid peroxidation. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old female with dysphagia, pain, and anorexia showed linear to circumferential ulcers covered with white slough extensively around central esophagus with thickened and erythematous mucosa with focal erosions on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Conclusion: This case highlights a rare case report of iron-induced esophageal ulcer found incidentally and the significance of acknowledging that iron preparations can harm the esophageal mucosa, especially in an Indian population where anemia is fairly predominant. https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000544108
spellingShingle Akshi Raj
Mangesh Londhe
Yogesh Bade
Madhuri Singh
Charusheela Gore
Anuj Sharma
Iron Mettle: Unveiling an Unusual Incidental Case Report of Esophageal Ulcer
Case Reports in Gastroenterology
title Iron Mettle: Unveiling an Unusual Incidental Case Report of Esophageal Ulcer
title_full Iron Mettle: Unveiling an Unusual Incidental Case Report of Esophageal Ulcer
title_fullStr Iron Mettle: Unveiling an Unusual Incidental Case Report of Esophageal Ulcer
title_full_unstemmed Iron Mettle: Unveiling an Unusual Incidental Case Report of Esophageal Ulcer
title_short Iron Mettle: Unveiling an Unusual Incidental Case Report of Esophageal Ulcer
title_sort iron mettle unveiling an unusual incidental case report of esophageal ulcer
url https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000544108
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