Aliases: Fe, Ferrous bisglycinate, Ferrous sulfate, Heme iron
Pharmacological Mechanism
Fe cycles between ferrous (Fe²⁺) and ferric (Fe³⁺) states, enabling electron transfer in hemoproteins (hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes a/b/c) and iron-sulfur clusters (ETC Complex I/II, aconitase). Absorbed as Fe²⁺ via DMT1 in duodenum; stored as ferritin; transported as transferrin-bound Fe³⁺. Systemic absorption gated by hepcidin (iron-status-responsive).
Dosing Guidelines
PO: Typical 25 mg (Range: 15–45 mg)
IV: Typical 25 mg (Range: 15–45 mg)
Target Organ Systems
digestive
immune-hematologic
Interactions
Calcium (caution): Calcium inhibits non-heme iron absorption when co-ingested. Separate by 2 h.
Zinc (caution): Competitive DMT1 absorption at high concurrent doses.
EGCG (caution): EGCG chelates non-heme iron in the gut. Separate iron supplement by 2 h.
Iron Bisglycinate (synergistic): Same elemental mineral — bisglycinate is the preferred low-GI form.
Manganese (caution): Competitive DMT1 absorption — high Fe reduces Mn uptake and vice versa.
Levothyroxine (caution): Same chelation mechanism — separate by ≥4 h.
Ascorbic Acid (synergistic): Ascorbate potentiates non-heme iron absorption.