Iron Supplements: Types, Uses, And Side Effects - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeIron supplements: Conditions they can treat and how to take them

Medically reviewed by Andrew Perugini, PharmD — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on November 3, 2025

Types
Conditions
Side effects
Dosage
Summary

Taking iron supplements may help manage iron deficiency anemia. Some kinds of iron supplements include ferrous sulfate and ferric citrate.

Iron is a vital mineral with a variety of roles in bodily functioning. It is particularly important in keeping red blood cells healthy.

A healthcare professional may prescribe iron supplements if someone does not have enough iron in their body. People can also purchase over-the-counter iron supplements.

It is important to always speak with a medical professional before taking any supplements.

This article looks at types of iron supplements available, some conditions that might require iron supplements, possible side effects, dosages, and alternatives to iron supplements.

Types of iron supplements

There are numerous iron supplements available, each containing varying amounts of iron. Although they are typically in tablet form, some are also available as a liquid.

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more efficiently, so some manufacturers of iron supplements will add vitamin C to the formulation.

Types of iron in supplements include:

ferrous sulfate
ferrous gluconate
ferric citrate
ferric sulfate

Before taking any supplements, it is important to speak with a pharmacist or healthcare professional.

Conditions that iron supplements may help treat

Doctors may recommend iron supplements for treating iron deficiency anemia.

People with iron deficiency anemia do not have enough healthy blood cells to carry oxygen to the parts of the body that need it. This is because there is a shortage of iron in the blood.

Taking iron supplements can raise the amount of iron in the body to a healthy level.

It is possible to have an iron deficiency but not iron deficiency anemia. People with an iron deficiency may have the right amount of hemoglobin levels but present with symptoms similar to those of iron deficiency anemia, which include:

fatigue
weakness
dizziness
shortness of breath
pale skin

An iron deficiency may develop due to:

Pregnancy: Iron deficiency can occur during pregnancy. This is because there is an increased demand for new red blood cells to support the fetus.
Blood loss: Blood loss, such as from chronic nose bleeds or bleeding from the bladder or kidneys, may cause an iron deficiency and require iron supplements.
Cancer: In some cases, iron deficiency can be a symptom of cancer.
Diet: Some people who do not eat enough foods containing iron can develop a deficiency.
Malabsorption: Certain conditions — including celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis — can make it harder for the body to absorb iron.

People may also take iron supplements for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or to enhance sports performance, though more research is necessary.

»Learn more:What are the signs that iron pills are working?

Possible side effects of iron supplements

Taking the appropriate dosage of iron is unlikely to cause any side effects.

In some instances, however, people taking iron supplements may experience:

feeling sick
vomiting
constipation
stomach pain

If someone experiences these side effects and has concerns about them, they can speak with a healthcare professional.

Having too much iron in the body can also be problematic. Hemochromatosis, or iron overload disorder, causes iron to build up in the body. Without treatment, iron overload disorder can damage the body’s organs, including the heart and liver.

If someone takes more than the recommended dosage of iron supplements, they may develop iron poisoning. If someone suspects that they have taken too much iron, they should seek professional medical advice as soon as possible.

Iron supplement dosages

The dosage of iron that someone needs can vary depending on their age, sex, and whether or not they are pregnant or lactating.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the recommended daily amount of iron, in milligrams (mg), is as follows:

Age	Male	Female	During pregnancy	During lactation
0 to 6 months	0.27 mg*	0.27 mg*
7 to 12 months	11 mg	11 mg
1 to 3 years	7 mg	7 mg
4 to 8 years	10 mg	10 mg
9 to 13 years	8 mg	8 mg
14 to 18 years	11 mg	15 mg	27 mg	10 mg
19 to 50 years	8 mg	18 mg	27 mg	9 mg
51+ years	8 mg	8 mg

*Adequate Intake

If someone requires iron supplements because they have an iron deficiency, a healthcare professional or pharmacist can determine the amount that they should take.

Summary

Iron is an important mineral that helps red blood cells carry oxygen to various parts of the body. If someone does not have enough iron in their body, a healthcare professional might recommend taking iron supplements.

Iron deficiency anemia typically requires iron supplements. Individuals experiencing iron deficiency due to pregnancy or blood loss may also require iron supplements.

Taking iron supplements may cause some side effects. If someone suspects that they have taken too much iron, they should seek professional medical help as soon as possible.

The amount of iron that someone needs per day varies depending on different factors. If someone wishes to take iron supplements, they should speak with a healthcare professional or pharmacist.

Blood / Hematology
Nutrition / Diet
Cat 1

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Anaemia in pregnancy. (2019).https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/anaemia-in-pregnancy-2/
Hsu CC, et al. (2022). Iron overload disorders.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9315134/
Iron. (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/iron/
Iron. (2025).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
Iron-deficiency anemia. (2022).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia. (n.d.).https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia/iron-deficiency
Is anemia a sign of cancer? (2025).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer/anemia.html
Soppi ET. (2018). Iron deficiency without anemia – a clinical challenge.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5986027/
Tohidi S, et al. (2021). Effects of iron supplementation on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children treated with methylphenidate.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8553525/
Zuvarox T, et al. (2025). Malabsorption syndromes.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553106/

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Medically reviewed by Andrew Perugini, PharmD — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on November 3, 2025

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Từ khóa » Vitamins Iron Deficiency

Iron Supplements: Types, Uses, And Side Effects - Medical News Today

Types of iron supplements

Conditions that iron supplements may help treat

Possible side effects of iron supplements

Iron supplement dosages

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

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