Mineral

Iron

Last reviewed September 28, 20261 sources

In short

Iron is a mineral needed to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Iron needs differ widely by age, sex and life stage, and iron supplements are not appropriate for everyone.

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Quick facts

RDA: 8 mg/day men; 18 mg/day women 19–50; 27 mg/day in pregnancy^[1]
Upper limit: 45 mg/day for adults^[1]

Common iron supplement forms

Ferrous sulfate
Ferrous gluconate
Ferrous fumarate
Iron bisglycinate
Carbonyl iron

Detailed form pages for Iron are being researched.

What researchers have studied it for

Iron-deficiency anemia

Consistent evidence

Iron supplementation is a standard treatment for iron deficiency, typically under medical supervision after testing.^[1]

Evidence labels summarize the overall body of published research for each topic; they are not a recommendation and do not mean a supplement is appropriate for you. Published research

Typical amounts in supplements

Labels list elemental iron. Standalone products often provide 18–65 mg elemental iron per serving.

^[1]

These describe what supplements commonly contain and published reference values — not a recommendation for you.

Food sources

Fortified cereals
Oysters and beef
Beans, lentils and tofu
Spinach

Potential considerations

Constipation, nausea and stomach upset are common.
Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in young children — keep out of reach.
People with hemochromatosis should not take iron supplements unless directed.

Products containing iron

No products listed yet

SuppScout hasn’t added iron products yet.

Sources & references

Iron: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.govGovernment

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This page is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a healthcare professional before starting a supplement, especially if you have a medical condition, take medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Medical disclaimer.