The Forms Of Iron In Supplements

Iron found in single-mineral supplements or as part of multivitamins can treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia. Iron is essential because your red blood cells use iron to transport oxygen throughout your body. Extra iron is stored in your muscles, liver and bone marrow, and those stores are pulled on when dietary sources of iron are low. There are various forms of iron available in supplements. Absorption and side effects vary with each form.

Ferrous Forms

Ferrous sulfate is the most widely available iron supplement available. Other ferrous forms of iron supplements include gluconate and fumarate. These forms of iron supplements are best absorbed, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Supplements should provide 50 to 60 milligrams of elemental iron in a single serving. Beyond this amount, iron absorption decreases as the dose increases. Common brands of ferrous iron include Feosol, Fergensol, Fer-Iron Drops, Fero-Grad, Slow Fe, Femiron, Feostat Drops, Hemocyte and Fergon.

Gluconate

Ferrous gluconate is another iron supplement that contains iron bound to gluconic acid. It typically comes in 325-milligram tablets that provide up to 12 percent, or 39 mg, of elemental iron. You should take ferrous gluconate three times a day to restore iron stores per the online medication guide Drugs.com.

Lactate

Ferrous lactate is a vegan-friendly variety of iron. This form of iron is water-soluble and is ranked as one of the highest food grade iron supplements available, according to American International Chemical. This form of iron may be sold under the name ferrous gluconate as well. Each serving of ferrous lactate provides 12 to 16 percent elemental iron.

Other Forms

Other forms of iron found in supplements and added to foods for fortification include ferrous glutamate, aluminum citrate and glycine. Ferric forms of iron have been used in the past, but according to the Institute of Medicine, they have been abandoned because of poor solubility in water and acid.