Iron is an essential mineral that is required for human life. Iron is found in the body's red blood cells, which carry oxygen-rich blood to every cell in the body. Iron also is involved in producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the body's energy source). Extra iron is stored in the liver, bone marrow, spleen, and muscles.
Not having enough iron can lead to anemia. The most common symptoms of anemia are weakness and fatigue -- one reason people who are iron deficient get tired easily is because their cells don't get enough oxygen. Pregnant women, young women during their reproductive years, and children tend to be at highest risk of iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia in children is associated with poor neurodevelopment. Anemia may be mild, moderate, or severe. It can be caused by blood loss, such as that from a bleeding ulcer, menstruation, severe trauma, surgery, or a malignant tumor. It can also be caused by an iron-poor diet, not absorbing enough dietary iron, pregnancy, and the rapid growth that takes place during infancy, early childhood, and adolescence.
On the other hand, too much iron in the body can lead to a condition known as hemochromatosis, which can cause diabetes, liver damage, and discoloration of the skin. Unlike other nutrients, excess iron cannot be excreted by the human body. For that reason, you shouldn't take iron supplements on your own -- ask your doctor if you need extra iron.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), iron deficiency is the number one nutritional disorder in the world. Up to 80% of the world's population may be iron deficient, and 30% may have iron deficiency anemia.
The most important use of iron supplements is to treat iron deficiency anemia. Anemia is low levels of iron in the blood. Iron is important because it is a key component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the entire body. Anemia can be caused by many conditions, including loss of blood during heavy menstruation, pregnancy, blood donation, bleeding ulcers, chronic heart failure, and surgery (before and after). There is also a type of anemia called anemia of chronic disease, which can occur in people with chronic kidney failure and those undergoing chemotherapy. Treatment for anemia should be directed by your doctor. If you feel tired and suspect you may have anemia, it's important to see your doctor to get a diagnosis. Other conditions can also cause fatigue, and taking iron supplements if you don't need them can be dangerous.
Exercise capacity/sports performance
Some studies suggest that iron deficiency, even at levels too low to cause anemia, can cause a lack of energy. A few -- though not all -- studies have found that taking iron supplements improved sports performance in those who had slightly low levels of iron.
Cough associated with ACE inhibitor use
One side effect of taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to treat high blood pressure and heart failure is an irritating dry cough. The cough leads some people to stop taking their medications. One preliminary clinical study suggested that iron supplementation may soothe and even prevent cough associated with ACE inhibitors, including enalapril (Vasotec), captopril (Capoten), and lisinopril (Zestril or Prinivil). However, the evidence is too premature to know whether taking iron with ACE inhibitors to reduce dry cough is safe or effective.
Plus, it is important to note that taking ACE inhibitors at the same time as iron may lower the amount of iron absorbed by the body. If used together, the 2 should be taken at least 2 hours apart. Also, iron is associated with risk for heart disease. For this reason, you should not take iron to combat an ACE inhibitor associated cough without the consent and supervision of a doctor.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Symptoms of iron deficiency (including decreased attention, arousal, and social responsiveness) are similar to symptoms of ADHD. That led researchers to speculate whether iron supplements could help children with ADHD who are deficient in iron. Preliminary evidence suggests iron supplements may help children who have low levels of iron. However, iron can be toxic in children who have normal levels of iron, so you should not give iron supplements to a child without a doctor's supervision.
Iron deficiency in infants and children
Iron deficiency is a significant public health problem in infants and young children because their bodies need iron to grow and develop. Animal studies link iron deficiency with mental problems. Health care providers sometimes recommend iron supplements. Do not give iron supplements to infants or children under 18 unless under the supervision of a doctor.
There are 2 types of iron you can get from food: heme and non heme. Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body. The best dietary sources of heme iron are liver and other organ meats, lean red meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish (particularly oysters).
Sources of non-heme iron include dried beans and peas, legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, dark molasses, and green leafy vegetables. Some nutrients help the body better absorb this kind of iron. For example, vitamin C helps the absorption of this type of iron while calcium (including all dairy products), bran, tea, and unprocessed whole grain products block its absorption.
In the U.S., grain products, such as breads and cereals, are fortified with iron to help increase amount in our diet.
Ferrous sulfate is the most common type of iron supplement. Other available forms include ferrous fumarate, ferrous succinate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous lactate, ferrous glutamate, ferric ammonium citrate, and ferrous glycine.
In severe cases of anemia from low levels of iron, or if there is rapid blood loss leading to iron deficiency, iron and blood will be administered intravenously (IV) in a hospital.
How to Take It
Recommendations for iron are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.
Infants and children (under 18 years of age)
Do not give iron supplements to infants or children under 18 unless under the supervision of a doctor.
Infants 7 - 12 months: 11 mg daily
Children 1 - 3 years: 7 mg daily
Children 4 - 8 years: 10 mg daily
Children 9 - 13 years: 8 mg daily
Male children 14 - 18 years: 11 mg daily
Female children 14 - 18 years: 15 mg daily
Breastfed babies easily absorb the iron in breast milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. However, iron-fortified baby formulas are also available. You should gradually introduce iron-enriched solid foods while still breastfeeding when your baby is older than 6 months of age. Infants weaned from breast milk before 12 months of age should receive iron-fortified infant formula.
Male 19 - 50 years: 8 mg daily
Female adults 19 - 50 years: 18 mg daily
Adults 51 years and older: 8 mg daily
Pregnant females ages 14 - 50 years: 27 mg daily
Nursing females ages 14 - 18 years: 10 mg daily
Nursing females ages 19 - 50 years: 9 mg daily
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
The most common side effect from iron supplements is stomach upset, including discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn. Taking iron supplements will often darken stool color.
Although the evidence isn't clear, there may be an association between high iron stores and risk of heart disease, cancer (such as breast cancer), and Alzheimer's disease. In people with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), the parts of the intestine that are inflamed appear to have higher amounts of iron.
Iron overload disease is usually due to an inherited condition called hemochromatosis, but it may occur in people who take large amounts of iron over a long period of time. Symptoms include skin discoloration, diabetes, and liver damage, among other potential complications. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), taking up to 45 mg of iron per day is safe. Whether taking more than that over a long period of time is safe is unknown. Severe iron overdose occurs with amounts of iron 50 -100 times greater than the recommended dietary dose. Such iron toxicity can destroy cells in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and even death. Iron poisoning is the most common accidental poisoning in children. Keep iron supplements in childproof bottles and out of the reach of children.
Intravenous (IV) iron, given in a hospital to treat severe anemia, can lead to headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, painful joints, hives, and worsening of rheumatoid arthritis. In rare instances it can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
If you are being treated with any of the medications discussed below, you should not use iron without first talking to your health care provider.
Iron can interfere with the absorption of many different medications. For this reason, it is best to take iron supplements at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking medications.
These medications should not be taken with iron:
Allopurinol (Zyloprim) -- Used to treat gout, this medicine can increase the amount of iron stored in the liver.
Penicillamine -- Concomitant use with iron may reduce the absorption of penicillamine.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- These drugs increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Because iron supplements can also cause stomach upset, you should not take iron supplements if you take NSAIDs unless under your doctor's supervision.
The following medications may reduce the absorption of iron:
Cholestyramine and Colestipol -- These are 2 medications physicians prescribe to lower cholesterol that are known as bile acid sequestrants.
Medications used to treat ulcers, GERD, or other stomach problems -- Some of these medications change the PH in stomach acid, making it harder to absorb iron. One class of medications is known as H2 receptor blockers. These medications include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid). It's possible that a similar effect could occur with proton pump inhibitors, including esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and omeprazole (Prilosec). So far there's no evidence that people who take proton pump inhibitors have lower levels of iron, however.
Antacids -- Antacids such as TUMS and Rolaids may decrease the absorption of iron.
Iron decreases the absorption of the following medications:
Tetracyclines -- Antibiotics that include doxycycline (Vibramycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline.
Quinolones -- Antibiotics that include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and levofloxacin (Levaquin).
Bisphosphonates -- Medications used to treat osteoporosis that include alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), and zoledronate (Zometa).
ACE inhibitors -- Medications used to treat high blood pressure. Examples include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), and lisinopril (Zestril or Prinivil).
Iron may reduce the effectiveness or blood levels of the following medications:
Carbidopa and Levodopa -- It lowers blood levels of carbidopa and levedopa (Sinemet), but it is unclear that lowers the effectiveness of the drugs.
Levothyroxine -- Iron may decrease the effectiveness of this thyroid replacement hormone. Your doctor should monitor thyroid function closely if you take iron supplements with thyroid medications, including Armour Thyroid and levothyroxine (Synthroid).
Iron levels may be increased by:
Birth control medications -- Birth control medicines, or oral contraceptives, may increase iron levels. Be careful if you are taking oral contraceptives not to take multiple vitamins that contain iron.
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