Iron
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Evidence Summary
Iron is a critical micronutrient used extensively to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia across various populations. Research demonstrates significant benefits from oral and intravenous supplementation in managing anemia in pregnancy, heart failure, and blood donors, as well as through large-scale food fortification programs.
Evidence by Condition
Daily oral iron and folic acid supplementation is effective in preventing anemia and improving maternal and infant outcomes.
Intravenous iron therapy, such as ferric carboxymaltose, reduces symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with iron deficiency.
Intermittent iron supplementation effectively reduces anemia and its associated impairments in adolescent and adult women.
Oral or parenteral iron supplementation reduces iron deficiency and the rate of donor deferral.
Research compares the efficacy of parenteral versus oral iron therapy for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Effective Doses
Specific milligram dose ranges are not explicitly detailed in the provided studies, though regimens include 'daily oral' and 'intermittent' supplementation.
Key Findings
- Ferric carboxymaltose therapy reduces symptoms and improves quality of life in heart failure patients with iron deficiency (PMID: 37632463).
- Daily oral iron and folic acid supplementation is a recommended intervention to prevent anemia during pregnancy (PMID: 39145520).
- Intermittent iron supplementation reduces anemia and associated impairments in adolescent and adult menstruating women (PMID: 30699468).
- Fortification of wheat flour and condiments with iron is an effective strategy for reducing anemia in populations (PMID: 33461239, 37665781).
Limitations
There is ongoing uncertainty regarding the psychiatric and cognitive outcomes of iron supplementation in non-anemic populations (PMID: 40945632).
Safety & Interactions
Serum or plasma ferritin concentration should be monitored as a primary index for assessing both iron deficiency and iron overload (PMID: 34028001).
AI-generated summary from 566 peer-reviewed studies. Not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider.
Dietary Reference Intakes
Source: IOM/NAM Dietary Reference Intakes · Dietary Reference Intakes: Iron
Drug-Supplement Interactions
⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before combining supplements with medications.
Claims vs. Evidence
| Claim Type | % of Products | Evidence Required | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Other | 99% | Tier D (Unclassified) | ✅ Supported |
| Structure/Function | 71% | Tier C (DSHEA Structure/Function (no pre-approval)) | ✅ Supported |
| Nutrient | 61% | Tier D (Unknown) | ✅ Supported |
| Approved Health | 1% | Tier A (FDA Approved Health Claim (21 CFR 101.9)) | ✅ Supported |
| No Claim | 0% | Tier D (No claim on label) | ✅ Supported |
| Qualified Health | 0% | Tier B (FDA Qualified Health Claim) | ✅ Supported |
🏛️ NIH ODS Factsheet
Research by Topic
⚠️ FDA Safety Data
Research Evidence (566)
Uncertainty remains about the effect of intravenous (i.v.) iron on outcomes for heart failure (HF) with iron deficiency. In the present study, we summarize the efficacy and safety of i.v. iron from six trials (FAIR-HF, CONFIRM-HF, AFFIRM-AHF, IRONMAN...
BACKGROUND: Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells is insufficient to meet physiologic needs; it is caused by many conditions, particularly iron deficiency. Traditionally, daily iron supplementation has been a standard practice...
BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is a significant cause of deferral in people wishing to donate blood. If iron removed from the body through blood donation is not replaced, then donors may become iron deficient. All donors are screened at each visit for l...
**Garcia-Casal et al., 2021** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Garcia-Casal Maria Nieves, Pasricha Sant-Rayn, ... Peña-Rosas Juan Pablo. Serum or plasma ferritin concentration as an index of iron deficiency and overload. Cochrane Database...
**Best et al., 2018** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Best Lawrence Mj, Takwoingi Yemisi, ... Gurusamy Kurinchi Selvan. Non-invasive diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pylori infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018-Mar-15;3(3):CD01208...
**Natale et al., 2022** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Natale Patrizia, Palmer Suetonia C, ... Strippoli Giovanni Fm. Hypoxia-inducible factor stabilisers for the anaemia of chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022-Aug-2...
**Field et al., 2021** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Field Martha S, Mithra Prasanna, Peña-Rosas Juan Pablo. Wheat flour fortification with iron and other micronutrients for reducing anaemia and improving iron status in populations. Co...
**Jalal et al., 2023** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Jalal Chowdhury Sb, De-Regil Luz Maria, ... Mithra Prasanna. Fortification of condiments and seasonings with iron for preventing anaemia and improving health. Cochrane Database Syst ...
IMPORTANCE: Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia during pregnancy. According to survey data from 1999 to 2006, overall estimated prevalence of iron deficiency during pregnancy is near 18% and increases across the 3 trimesters of pregnancy (...
Iron plays a key role in brain functions like energy metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis. Yet, iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Children, adolescents, and menstruating adults are particularly at risk. Ev...
BACKGROUND: Iron and folic acid supplementation has been the preferred intervention to improve iron stores and prevent anaemia among pregnant women, and it may also improve other maternal and birth outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of daily...
BACKGROUND: Iron and folic acid supplementation has been the preferred intervention to improve iron stores and prevent anaemia among pregnant women, and it is thought to improve other maternal and birth outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of ...
BACKGROUND: Ferric carboxymaltose therapy reduces symptoms and improves quality of life in patients who have heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency. Additional evidence about the effects of ferric carboxymaltose on clinica...
BACKGROUND: Iron and folic acid supplementation have been recommended in pregnancy for anaemia prevention, and may improve other maternal, pregnancy, and infant outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of daily oral iron supplementation during pr...
**Albaramki et al., 2012** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Albaramki Jumana, Hodson Elisabeth M, ... Webster Angela C. Parenteral versus oral iron therapy for adults and children with chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2...
**Field et al., 2020** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Field Martha S, Mithra Prasanna, ... Peña-Rosas Juan Pablo. Wheat flour fortification with iron for reducing anaemia and improving iron status in populations. Cochrane Database Syst ...
BACKGROUND: Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose has been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure and iron deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the effect of ferric carboxymaltose, compared with placebo, on outco...
**Salam et al., 2021** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Salam Rehana A, Das Jai K, Bhutta Zulfiqar A. Effect of mass deworming with antihelminthics for soil-transmitted helminths during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021-May-17;5...
**Lambin et al., 2009** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Lambin Philippe, Ramaekers Bram L T, ... Pijls-Johannesma Madelon. Erythropoietin as an adjuvant treatment with (chemo) radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Cochrane Database...
BACKGROUND: Iron-deficiency anaemia is highly prevalent among non-pregnant women of reproductive age (menstruating women) worldwide, although the prevalence is highest in lower-income settings. Iron-deficiency anaemia has been associated with a range...
**Palmer et al., 2017** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Palmer Suetonia C, Maggo Jasjot K, ... Strippoli Giovanni Fm. Dietary interventions for adults with chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017-Apr-23;4(4):CD011998...
**De-Regil et al., 2017** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis De-Regil Luz Maria, Jefferds Maria Elena D, Peña-Rosas Juan Pablo. Point-of-use fortification of foods with micronutrient powders containing iron in children of preschool and scho...
OBJECTIVE: Iron supplementation in iron-deficiency anaemia is standard practice, but the benefits of iron supplementation in iron-deficient non-anaemic (IDNA) individuals remains controversial. Our objective is to identify the effects of iron therapy...
**O'Lone et al., 2019** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis O'Lone Emma L, Hodson Elisabeth M, ... Craig Jonathan C. Parenteral versus oral iron therapy for adults and children with chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019-Fe...
**Farrell et al., 2020** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Farrell Dawn, Artom Micol, ... Savage Eileen. Interventions for fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020-Apr-16;4(4):CD012005. doi:10.1002/14651858.C...
**Kaufner et al., 2020** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Kaufner Lutz, von Heymann Christian, ... Gill Ravi. Erythropoietin plus iron versus control treatment including placebo or iron for preoperative anaemic adults undergoing non-cardi...
**Shah et al., 2021** | JAMA Netw Open | Meta Analysis Shah Akshay A, Donovan Killian, ... Stanworth Simon J. Risk of Infection Associated With Administration of Intravenous Iron: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2021-Nov-01;4(1...
**Adams et al., 2022** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Adams Anne, Scheckel Benjamin, ... Skoetz Nicole. Intravenous iron versus oral iron versus no iron with or without erythropoiesis- stimulating agents (ESA) for cancer patients wi...
INTRODUCTION: WHO guidelines on iron supplementation among children call for further research to identify the optimal schedule, duration, dose and cosupplementation regimen. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled tria...
**Negida et al., 2024** | CNS Neurosci Ther | Meta Analysis Negida Ahmed, Hassan Nafisa M, ... Berman Brian. Efficacy of the iron-chelating agent, deferiprone, in patients with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. CNS Neurosci ...
Background/Objectives. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide and is the leading cause of anemia in the pediatric population (microcytic, hypochromic anemia due to iron deficiency). Moreover, untreated iron defic...
**Nicholson et al., 2024** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Nicholson Lily, Axon Emma, ... Rogozińska Ewelina. Effect and safety of intravenous iron compared to oral iron for treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Cochrane...
BACKGROUND: Intake of supplements containing iron or a combination of iron and folic acid by pregnant women may improve maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Recently, intermittent supplementation regimens have been proposed as alternatives to dail...
**Aher et al., 2014** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Aher Sanjay M, Ohlsson Arne. Late erythropoietin for preventing red blood cell transfusion in preterm and/or low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014-Apr-23(4):CD004...
**Salam et al., 2015** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Salam Rehana A, Haider Batool A, ... Bhutta Zulfiqar A. Effect of administration of antihelminthics for soil-transmitted helminths during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015-...
**Saglimbene et al., 2017** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Saglimbene Valeria M, Palmer Suetonia C, ... Strippoli Giovanni Fm. Continuous erythropoiesis receptor activator (CERA) for the anaemia of chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Datab...
**Fortin et al., 2018** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Fortin Patricia M, Fisher Sheila A, ... Estcourt Lise J. Interventions for improving adherence to iron chelation therapy in people with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia. Cochrane...
**Garcia-Casal et al., 2018** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Garcia-Casal Maria N, Peña-Rosas Juan Pablo, ... Pasricha Sant-Rayn. Fortification of maize flour with iron for controlling anaemia and iron deficiency in populations. Cochran...
**Aher et al., 2019** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Aher Sanjay M, Ohlsson Arne. Late erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to prevent red blood cell transfusion in preterm or low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019-Feb-...
IMPORTANCE: Blood transfusion is one of the most frequently used therapies worldwide and is associated with benefits, risks, and costs. OBJECTIVE: To develop a set of evidence-based recommendations for patient blood management (PBM) and for research....
**Miles et al., 2019** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Miles Lachlan F, Litton Edward, ... Story David. Intravenous iron therapy for non-anaemic, iron-deficient adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019-Dec-20;12(12):CD013084. doi:10.1002...
**Aher et al., 2020** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Aher Sanjay M, Ohlsson Arne. Late erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to prevent red blood cell transfusion in preterm or low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020-Jan-...
**Scrimshire et al., 2020** | BMJ Open | Meta Analysis Scrimshire Ashley B, Booth Alison, ... McDaid Catriona. Preoperative iron treatment in anaemic patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ...
BACKGROUND: For patients with heart failure, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and iron deficiency, intravenous ferric carboxymaltose administration improves quality of life and exercise capacity in the short-term and reduces hospital admiss...
**Tan et al., 2024** | BMJ Glob Health | Meta Analysis Tan Xiaomian, Tan Pui Yee, ... Moore J Bernadette. Overnutrition is a risk factor for iron, but not for zinc or vitamin A deficiency in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-ana...
IMPORTANCE: Uncertainty remains about the efficacy of intravenous iron in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of ferric carboxymaltose in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency. DESIG...
**Haider et al., 2009** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Haider Batool A, Humayun Quratulain, Bhutta Zulfiqar A. Effect of administration of antihelminthics for soil transmitted helminths during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009...
**Navaneethan et al., 2011** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Navaneethan Sankar D, Palmer Suetonia C, ... Strippoli Giovanni Fm. Phosphate binders for preventing and treating bone disease in chronic kidney disease patients. Cochrane Data...
BACKGROUND: Approximately 600 million children of preschool and school age are anaemic worldwide. It is estimated that half of the cases are due to iron deficiency. Consequences of iron deficiency anaemia during childhood include growth retardation, ...
**Fisher et al., 2013** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Fisher Sheila A, Brunskill Susan J, ... Roberts David J. Desferrioxamine mesylate for managing transfusional iron overload in people with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia. Cochran...
Showing top 50 of 566 sources, sorted by quality score.
Details
Iron
Overview
Iron is a essential nutrient tracked in the biomedical knowledge base.
Also known as: fe, ferrous, ferric, iron sulfate, ferrous sulfate
Role in Health
Detailed overview pending — this entity has sources compiled across multiple verticals.
Related Verticals
See sources-index for all verified sources referencing Iron.
Safety Considerations
Safety data extraction pending.
Sources
See linked source pages for full provenance.
Related Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
What is iron and why do I need it?
Iron is a critical micronutrient used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia. It is essential for maintaining health, particularly in preventing anemia during pregnancy and managing symptoms in various medical conditions.
Does iron supplementation help with anemia during pregnancy?
Yes, there is strong evidence that daily oral iron and folic acid supplementation is effective. This regimen helps prevent anemia and improves health outcomes for both mothers and infants.
Can iron supplements help with heart failure symptoms?
There is strong evidence that intravenous iron therapy, such as ferric carboxymaltose, can be beneficial. In patients with iron deficiency, this treatment helps reduce symptoms and improves overall quality of life.
Will taking iron help with heavy menstrual periods?
There is strong evidence that intermittent iron supplementation is effective for adolescent and adult women. It helps reduce anemia and the physical impairments associated with menstruation.
Is iron effective for people with chronic kidney disease?
There is moderate evidence regarding iron use for this condition. Research is currently comparing the effectiveness of oral iron versus parenteral (intravenous) iron therapy for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Are there any safety concerns or side effects with iron?
To ensure safety, it is important to monitor serum or plasma ferritin levels. This is the primary way to assess whether you are experiencing iron deficiency or iron overload.
Does iron interact with other medications?
Yes, iron has moderate interactions with certain drugs. It can reduce the absorption of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and levothyroxine by forming insoluble complexes in the body.
Answers generated from research evidence. Not medical advice.