Millions of Americans suffer from iron deficiency and anemia, which lead to fatigue and impaired immune function. Healthy adults need 8 to 18 mg of iron a day, the highest requirements being for women of childbearing age. For people diagnosed with anemia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking 50 to 60 mg of elemental iron two to three times a day for a three-month period. Follow your physician's instructions. However, because the elemental iron content of iron supplements can vary from 12 to 100 percent, read the label carefully.
Heme-Iron Polypeptide
Heme-iron polypeptide is derived from porcine red blood cells and provides 100 percent elemental iron. Its bio-availability is superior to those of ferrous salts such as ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate. It is sold in capsules.
Polysaccharide-Iron Complex
Polysaccharide-iron complex contains 100 percent elemental iron. Its absorption rate is similar to that of ferrous salts, and it is found in tablets, capsules and solution.
Carbonyl Iron
Carbonyl iron contains 100 percent elemental iron. Although it provides the highest amount of elemental iron, it is less toxic than ferrous iron salts. It is available in tablets, chewable tablets and liquid.
Ferrous Fumarate
Ferrous fumarate is the iron salt with the highest elemental iron content: 33 percent, with a 325-mg tablet providing 108 mg of elemental iron, according to the National Anemia Action Council. Ferrous fumarate is available in tablets, regular or chewable.
Ferrous Sulfate
Ferrous sulfate provides 20 percent elemental iron. A 325-mg tablet contains 65 mg of elemental iron, according to the National Anemia Action Council. It can be found in different forms: tablets and oral solution.
Ferrous Gluconate
Ferrous gluconate contains 12 percent elemental iron or 35 mg of elemental iron in a 325-mg tablet, according to the National Anemia Action Council. It is available in tablets only.
Ferric Ammonium Citrate
Ferric ammonium citrate is a ferric salt containing 18 percent elemental iron. Ferric salts are not as bio-available as ferrous salts such as ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate. Iron citrate is sold in capsules.
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