ask your pharmacist

How do I choose an iron supplement?

A multivitamin with iron is a simple way to add iron. The 18 mg or so of iron in multivitamin/mineral products is enough to prevent deficiencies in most people. Don't take a separate iron supplement unless your doctor says you have an iron deficiency. The reason: Recent studies indicate that elevated levels of iron in the body may increase the risk for heart attack and cancer. This may occur because iron boosts the body's production of biologically damaging chemicals called free radicals. Most people can get enough iron from changing their dietary habits. Foods such as lean red meat, chicken, turkey, and fish contain decent amounts of iron. On the other hand, people with anemia and women of childbearing age may benefit from extra iron, since they may have an iron deficiency and iron requirements are greater during pregnancy.

If you do need an iron supplement, consider cost and side effects when choosing a product. Stomach upset and constipation are the most common side effects of iron. Using a lower iron content or a slow-release iron may solve these side effects.

For once-a-day dosing, choose a slow-release iron product instead of taking the regular-release tablets three or four times a day. These products include Ferro-Sequels, GNC A-Z Time Release Iron, and Slo-Fe. Some products add vitamin C to increase iron absorption. Iron with vitamin C contains a lower dose of iron and therefore may lower the risk of stomach upset. Combination products include Vitron-C. It may be less expensive to buy iron supplement tablets (Feosol Iron Supplement Therapy) and vitamin C tablets separately.

Iron may cause constipation. If iron makes you constipated, consider a product that contains a stool softener. Ferro-Sequels contains docusate and would be a good choice

Sources:
Silverman, H.M., J.A. Romano, G. Elmer. The Vitamin Book. Bantam Books, 1999.
Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
Klipstein-Grobusch, K. "Serum Ferritin and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in the Elderly: The Rotterdam Study," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 69 (1999).
Bothwell, T.H. "Iron Requirements in Pregnancy and Strategies to Meet Them," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition July (2000).
Medline Plus. Medline, 2006.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.

This answer prepared 10/27/2000.
This information updated 12/20/2006.