What Is Iron Supplements?
Iron is an essential micronutrient required for hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport. Iron supplements restore depleted iron stores in iron deficiency anemia.
How Iron Supplements Work
Oral iron is absorbed in the proximal small intestine via divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). Iron is then transported to bone marrow for incorporation into hemoglobin and stored in ferritin. Absorption increases with iron deficiency and decreases with iron overload.
Oral iron is absorbed in the proximal small intestine via divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). Iron is then transported to bone marrow for incorporation into hemoglobin and stored in ferritin. Absorption increases with iron deficiency and decreases with iron overload.
Indications
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Prevention of iron deficiency in pregnancy
- Iron supplementation in malabsorption disorders
- Chronic blood loss compensation
- Preoperative preparation for blood loss
- Athletes with iron depletion
Dosage and Administration
Elemental Iron Content:
- Ferrous sulfate: 325 mg tablet = 65 mg elemental iron
- Ferrous fumarate: 325 mg tablet = 106 mg elemental iron
- Ferrous gluconate: 325 mg tablet = 36 mg elemental iron
Standard Dosing:
- Initial: 65-325 mg elemental iron once to three times daily
- Take on empty stomach 1 hour before meals for maximum absorption
- If GI intolerance: take with meals (reduces absorption by ~30%)
- Separate from other medications by at least 2 hours
Duration:
- Hemoglobin improvement: 2-4 weeks
- Complete iron repletion: 2-3 months after normalization of hemoglobin
Clinical Note
Iron supplementation should be paired with identification and treatment of underlying iron loss cause. Monitor hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation to ensure adequate repletion and avoid overload.
Iron supplementation should be paired with identification and treatment of underlying iron loss cause. Monitor hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation to ensure adequate repletion and avoid overload.