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Clinical Updates
Iron Supplements
How to Take Iron
4/04/2023
New research suggests the best way to take iron to treat iron-deficiency anemia. Get the details in our Iron Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among iron supplements.
Bariatric Surgery and Iron
2/22/2023
After bariatric ("stomach-reducing") surgery, be aware that iron requirements may significantly increase. Get the details in the What It Does section our Iron Supplements Review.
Also see our article about which supplements are important after bariatric surgery.
Stomach Damage from Iron Pills
10/21/2022
Be aware that high-dose oral iron pills can sometimes damage the lining of the stomach and cause bleeding -- which can actually worsen anemia. Learn about recently reported cases, and what formulation of iron may reduce this risk, in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Iron Supplements Review.
Colorant & Iron Overload?
7/01/2022
Some supplements contain red iron oxide as a colorant. Should people at risk for iron overload be concerned about the iron provided by this ingredient? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Iron Supplements Review.
Unusual Cravings Can Be a Sign of Iron Deficiency
3/18/2022
The urge to chew on ice, or consume or smell unusual substances, can be a sign of iron deficiency, as highlighted by a recently reported case. Get the details and learn about other symptoms of iron deficiency, in the What It Does section of our Iron Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among iron supplements.
Iron Dose Falls
9/20/2021
Recommended doses for correcting iron deficiency may be too high, according to recent guidelines. Get the details in the ConsumerTips section of our Iron Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks among iron supplements.
Don't Do This If You Need Iron
5/28/2021
If you're low in iron, be aware that many foods dramatically reduce absorption of iron from your diet. Teas can also have a major impact, as shown in a recent study. Get the details in the What to Avoid section of our Iron Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among iron supplements.
Fibromyalgia Risk With Iron Deficiency Anemia?
5/21/2021
A recent study suggests a link between iron deficiency anemia and fibromyalgia, particularly in women. Get the details in the What It Does section of our Iron Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among iron supplements.
Does Iron Affect Stroke Risk?
5/21/2021
There are downsides to taking too much iron, but a recent analysis suggests that getting a basic amount of iron may reduce stroke risk for women. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Iron Supplements Review.
Lactoferrin for Iron Absorption?
11/17/2020
Can taking lactoferrin with iron boost iron absorption? Learn what studies are showing in the Forms of Iron section of our Iron Supplements review. Also, see our Top Picks for iron.
Vitamin C to Boost Iron?
11/03/2020
Vitamin C is often touted to boost iron absorption. But does it really work? Find out what a recent study found in the ConsumerTips section of our Iron Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks for iron.
Precaution When Taking Iron
7/13/2020
Supplementing with iron can cause constipation and even bowel obstruction. Find how to reduce these risks when taking iron in the ConsumerTips section of the Iron Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for iron.
Be Careful With Iron
11/15/2019
Iron supplements can be hard on the stomach, but be aware that very high doses may actually cause erosions and ulcers. Certain formulations are less likely to cause this problem. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Iron Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among iron supplements.
Drug Interactions With Iron
12/04/2018
Iron should not be taken at the same time as any of several prescription medications, due to potential interactions. A recent study adds to the list of medications of concern. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Iron Supplements Review.
Iron and Stroke
10/28/2018
Having too much iron in the body is associated with an increased risk of a variety of conditions and, according to a recent study, stroke is among these. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Iron Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for iron when you need to supplement.)
Iron Deficiency Cause
10/15/2018
Regular use of certain popular medicines was associated with a large increase in the risk of iron deficiency, according to a new study. Get the details in the ConsumerTips section of the Iron Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks among iron supplements.)
Tea & Iron Absorption
12/15/2017
A surprising number of foods and beverages, including tea, can interfere with the absorption of iron. When you drink your tea can make a big difference, according to a new study. Get the details in the Iron Supplements Review >>
Iron for Restless Legs
8/01/2017
Iron supplementation may help to reduce the severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms in people who have deficient or low levels of iron, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology. For details, including dosage, see the "What It Does" section of the Iron Supplements Review, which also includes our tests and quality comparisons of products.
Best Iron?
6/13/2017
Contrary to expectations, a study which compared the effectiveness of two forms of iron in treating anemia in young children found ferrous sulfate to be more effective than a newer form of iron. For details about this, the different forms of iron, how to take iron, and our tests and comparisons of brands of iron supplements, see the Iron Supplements Review >>
What Iron Supplements Can and Cannot Do
5/17/2017
Iron supplements can reduce fatigue in younger women and even improve learning in adolescent girls. If you give blood, taking iron reduces your time to recover by more than one month. However, a recent study found little benefit in giving iron to heart failure patients low in iron. Researchers have an idea why. For details about the uses of iron, see the "What It Does" section of the Iron Supplements Review, which includes our tests and comparisons of popular iron supplements.
Iron After Blood Donation
2/10/2015
A new study showed that iron supplementation speeds the recovery of hemoglobin levels by several weeks after blood donation and suggests that the current time between donations may be too short. For details, as well as our tests of iron supplements, see the Iron Supplements Review >>
More Iron, Less PMS?
3/30/2013
A new study showed that women getting more iron had a significantly lower risk of suffering PMS (premenstrual syndrome) -- but not just any type of iron. Get the details, as well as our ratings of iron supplements, in the updated Iron Supplements Review »
Feeling fatigued? Iron may help
7/14/2012
It's well known that fatigue can result from iron-deficiency anemia, but new research shows that some women who are not anemic can also benefit from iron. Women ages 18 to 53 with unexplained fatigue given iron experienced a nearly 50% reduction in fatigue in a recently published study. Get details about the treatment (including the dosage, duration, and type of iron supplement used) in the update to the Iron Supplements Review, which includes our tests of iron supplements similar to that used in this study. More >>
Women-Vitamin Study - Key Points
10/11/2011
You may have heard this week about a new study which found a higher risk of death among women who used certain supplements. It's a complicated study, but we've summarized some key findings. Bear in mind that only white women ages 55 to 69 were enrolled in the study and they were followed for 22 years.
Those taking calcium supplements had a 3.8% reduced risk of death. The calcium benefit ended, however, when taking more than 900 mg per day from supplements. It's worth noting that experts suggest many older women who take calcium supplements may not need to -- see the Calcium Supplement Review for more.
The mineral most strongly associated with an increased risk of death was iron, which showed a risk increase of 3.9% -- and the risk increased as the dose increased, particularly over 50 mg per day. However, the study grouped dosages of under 50 mg together, making it hard to determine the risk of low dosages of iron, such as those in many multivitamins. However, there is very little reason why a postmenopausal woman should be taking iron -- see the Iron Supplement Review for more.
Although not as statistically meaningful, other supplements were associated with the following increases in the risk of death during the study: multivitamins (2.4%), vitamin B6 (4.1%), folic acid (5.9%), magnesium (3.6%), zinc (3.0%), and copper (18.0%). An abstract of the study is online.
The bottom line: Don't take a supplement you don't need. If you want to know how much of each vitamin and mineral you need from your total diet and how much is too much, see our chart at www.consumerlab.com/rdas/.
Those taking calcium supplements had a 3.8% reduced risk of death. The calcium benefit ended, however, when taking more than 900 mg per day from supplements. It's worth noting that experts suggest many older women who take calcium supplements may not need to -- see the Calcium Supplement Review for more.
The mineral most strongly associated with an increased risk of death was iron, which showed a risk increase of 3.9% -- and the risk increased as the dose increased, particularly over 50 mg per day. However, the study grouped dosages of under 50 mg together, making it hard to determine the risk of low dosages of iron, such as those in many multivitamins. However, there is very little reason why a postmenopausal woman should be taking iron -- see the Iron Supplement Review for more.
Although not as statistically meaningful, other supplements were associated with the following increases in the risk of death during the study: multivitamins (2.4%), vitamin B6 (4.1%), folic acid (5.9%), magnesium (3.6%), zinc (3.0%), and copper (18.0%). An abstract of the study is online.
The bottom line: Don't take a supplement you don't need. If you want to know how much of each vitamin and mineral you need from your total diet and how much is too much, see our chart at www.consumerlab.com/rdas/.
