SYS ONLINE
SUPPLEMENT_SCHOLAR
evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Mineral

Ferrous Sulfate

Standard low-cost iron salt — effective but commonly causes GI side effects.

Energy ProductionWomen's Health

Overview

Standard low-cost iron salt — effective but commonly causes GI side effects.

Natural sources
    Common forms

      Forms & variants of Iron

      Different chemical forms of Iron behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

      Parent
      Iron

      Oxygen-carrying mineral central to hemoglobin and cellular respiration.

      Bisglycinate
      Iron Bisglycinate

      Chelated ferrous iron — best-tolerated form with high absorption and minimal GI distress.

      Heme Iron
      Heme Iron Polypeptide

      Animal-source heme iron — absorbed via separate receptor, unaffected by phytates/calcium.

      Mechanism of action

      Dissociates in stomach acid; absorbed via DMT1 in duodenum.

      Pathways

        Effects on the body

        Organ system effects

        Evidence-based benefits

        Reliably treats iron-deficiency anemia

        Strong evidence

        Potential side effects

        Common
        • · Nausea
        • · Constipation
        • · Dark stools
        Rare
          Serious
          • · Overdose

          Drug interactions

          No notable interactions reported.

          Supplement interactions

          Pairs well with

          None listed.

          Avoid combining with

          No specific avoidances listed.

          Dosing & bioavailability

          Typical dose
          65 mg elemental every other day
          With food?
          Empty stomach with vitamin C

          Where to buy

          Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

          Mineral
          Ferrous Sulf…
          Amazon
          Wide selection · fast shipping
          Mineral
          Ferrous Sulf…
          iHerb
          Global delivery · curated brands
          Mineral
          Ferrous Sulf…
          Thorne
          Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

          Scientific evidence (8)

          RCTLancet Haematol · 2017

          Alternate-day vs daily oral iron in iron deficiency

          Stoffel NU, et al.

          Crossover trial of dosing schedules.

          Key findings

          Alternate-day dosing improves fractional absorption.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Ferrous Sulfate — Reliably treats iron-deficiency anemia

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Ferrous Sulfate Reliably treats iron-deficiency anemia" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Ferrous Sulfate and "Reliably treats iron-deficiency anemia". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Ferrous Sulfate — randomized controlled trial

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Ferrous Sulfate randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Ferrous Sulfate and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Ferrous Sulfate — meta-analysis

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Ferrous Sulfate meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Ferrous Sulfate and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Ferrous Sulfate — pharmacokinetics

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Ferrous Sulfate pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Ferrous Sulfate and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Ferrous Sulfate — safety adverse events

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Ferrous Sulfate safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Ferrous Sulfate and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Ferrous Sulfate — dose response

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Ferrous Sulfate dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Ferrous Sulfate and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

          Google Scholar: Ferrous Sulfate — clinical evidence

          Live Scholar search

          Cross-database citation index for Ferrous Sulfate as it relates to "clinical evidence".

          Key findings

          Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

          Open study
          Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.