Iron is essential to support many functions in the human body. Iron is crucial in forming hemoglobin which supports oxygen transport around the body. In this blog, we will cover:

 

The signs that your iron supplements are working

It can be challenging to know if your iron supplements are working. It is essential to remember iron is present in the body in two ways. Iron is found in our liver as storage and transport, or circulating (as hemoglobin) in our blood. When our iron intake is low, our storage iron drops first, having lower iron reserves. It can take up to three months to replenish storage iron.

As tiredness or a lack of energy (fatigue) is commonly associated with a diet low in iron, it is likely to be the first change in your body that you notice when you take an iron supplement (2). If your iron supplement is working, you should notice an increase in energy levels; however, when this will occur varies from person to person, and is dependent on your levels of iron in storage and circulation.

When your iron supplement works, you should have more energy, better concentration, and a healthier immune system (3).

 

What are the signs your iron pills are working?

The signs your iron pills are working are as follows:

  • You will feel that you have more energy
  • Your ability to concentrate may improve
  • You will have a healthier immune system

Active Iron is a powerful and highly effective iron supplement that is kind to your stomach and is easily absorbed by the body, meaning your energy levels should return to normal fast.

 

 

What are the signs that your iron pills are not working?

If your iron supplements are not working, you may experience the following*:

  • You may continue to experience tiredness and fatigue (even after 90 days)
  • You may have poor concentration
  • You may have a weaker immune system
  • Your iron levels may be lower than optimum levels

To learn more about iron supplement side effects, click here.

 

How do I know how much iron I need in my supplements?

Our daily requirement for iron depends on several factors. Women of child-bearing age have the highest need for iron with a daily requirement of 14.8mg, while men and post-menopausal women have a daily requirement of 8.7 mg (5).

It is important to ensure your supplement is giving you a sufficient amount of iron. Some people experience side effects, especially from higher-dose iron pills resulting from poor absorption. The unabsorbed iron becomes oxidized and causes gut irritation, resulting in side effects such as constipation and nausea.

 

Is your iron supplement working well for you?

If you are not getting enough iron from your diet alone, an iron supplement can help your iron levels. An iron supplement that is working well should be easy to take with no side effects, and you should have a noticeable increase in your energy levels.

When choosing an iron supplement, it is essential to choose one strong on absorption while also gentle on the stomach.

With its ground-breaking protein formula, Active Iron delivers better absorption of iron than other oral irons on the market, while its non-constipating formula helps to reduce gut irritation, making it gentle on the stomach (6).


(1) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/iron/, accessed May 2020

(2) Tiredness/Fatigue may be a symptom of other conditions. You should contact a health care professional if it persists.

(3) Iron helps support your energy metabolism, supports cognitive function and supports your immune system.

(4) These symptoms may be signs of other conditions. You should contact a health care professional if they persist.

(5) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/iron/, accessed May 2020.

(6) Wang et al., Acta Haematologica 2017