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Mineral

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral the body needs to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Also listed as Ferrochel

FertilityEnergyEssential HealthStress & MoodCardiovascular

Can iron help fatigue without anemia?

One trial enrolled 198 menstruating women with fatigue, hemoglobin above 12 g/dL, and ferritin below 50 µg/L. After 12 weeks of 80 mg elemental iron daily, fatigue scores fell by 47.7%, versus 28.8% with placebo. Quality of life, depression, and anxiety did not significantly improve. The trial supports investigating low stores in this specific situation; its enrollment threshold is not a universal definition of deficiency. 1

FatigueMixed

A placebo-controlled trial found less fatigue in menstruating women with low ferritin despite normal hemoglobin. It does not establish an energy benefit for people with adequate stores. 1

What changes during pregnancy?

A 2024 Cochrane review included 57 trials involving 48,971 women. Daily iron probably reduced iron-deficiency anemia near delivery and probably reduced low birthweight, while preterm birth showed little or no difference. Some other maternal and infant outcomes remained uncertain. The findings concern supplementation during pregnancy, not a claim that iron improves fertility. 2

Pregnancy PrepMixed

Pregnancy trials support some maternal iron and birth outcomes; they did not test improved chances of conception. 2

Effects by health goal

Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.

Stress & Mood1 effect

Mood SupportStress & MoodModerateBNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

Cardiovascular1 effect

Blood pressureCardiovascularNo effectFNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

All studies

9 publications are linked to Iron, newest first.

Daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy.2024Iron deficiency anemia: a critical review on iron absorption, supplementation and its influence on gut microbiota.2024Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: Potential Risk Factors in Bone Loss2023Iron Metabolism: Interactions with Energy and Carbohydrate Availability2020Energy deficit increases hepcidin and exacerbates declines in dietary iron absorption following strenuous physical activity: a randomized-controlled cross-over trial.2020Importance of Iron Absorption in Human Health: An Overview2020Effect of Iron Isomaltoside on Skeletal Muscle Energetics in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure and Iron Deficiency.2019Daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy.2015Effects and safety of preventive oral iron or iron+folic acid supplementation for women during pregnancy.2009

Sources