Elemental Iron Content in Metagenics Iron Supplements
Based on the available evidence, I cannot provide the specific elemental iron content in Metagenics iron supplements as this information is not included in the provided research materials.
General Information on Iron Supplements
Recommended Daily Iron Intake
- Standard enteral nutrition should provide 18-30 mg of elemental iron per day with 1500 kcal according to ESPEN guidelines 1
- Parenteral nutrition should provide at least 1 mg/day of elemental iron 1
- For treatment of iron deficiency, oral iron is typically given as 200 mg of elemental iron per day, divided into 2-3 doses 1
- More recent research suggests lower doses (60-120 mg) given on alternate days may improve absorption and reduce side effects 2, 3
Common Oral Iron Formulations and Their Elemental Iron Content
Different iron supplements contain varying amounts of elemental iron:
- Ferrous sulfate (325 mg tablet): 65 mg elemental iron 1
- Ferrous gluconate (325 mg tablet): 35 mg elemental iron 1
- Ferrous fumarate (325 mg tablet): 108 mg elemental iron 1
- Polysaccharide-iron complex: 150 mg elemental iron 1
- Ferric maltol (30 mg tablet): 30 mg elemental iron 1
Factors Affecting Iron Absorption
- Iron absorption is inversely related to iron stores and is increased during erythropoiesis 1
- Food consumed within 2 hours before or 1 hour after an iron supplement can reduce absorption by up to 50% 1
- Aluminum-based phosphate binders can reduce iron absorption 1
- High doses of iron (≥60 mg) stimulate hepcidin, which can reduce subsequent iron absorption 2
Side Effects and Tolerability
- Common side effects of oral iron include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort 1
- Unabsorbed iron can cause gut irritation, inflammation, and dysbiosis 2, 3
- Patients with difficulty tolerating iron supplements may benefit from smaller, more frequent doses, starting with a lower dose and increasing slowly, or trying a different formulation 1
Clinical Implications
When to Check Iron Status
- Full investigation of iron status should be performed in cases of anemia and persistent major fatigue 1
- Investigation should include plasma iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, ferritin, CRP, hepcidin, and evaluation of red blood cell morphology 1
Treatment Considerations
- For correction of iron deficiency, a single IV dose of whole-body iron replacement (1g) may be given using carbohydrate products when oral supplementation is insufficient 1
- In anemic critically ill patients with iron deficiency confirmed by low hepcidin levels, 1g of iron should be delivered via IV 1
- For pregnant women, the usual dose is 60 to 120 mg of elemental iron per day, while prenatal vitamins often include a lower dose of 30 mg 1
Monitoring Response
- To measure treatment success, basic blood tests should be repeated after 8-10 weeks 1
- After restoration of hemoglobin and iron stores, blood count should be monitored periodically (perhaps every 6 months initially) to detect recurrent iron deficiency anemia 1
If you need specific information about Metagenics iron supplements, I would recommend checking the product label directly or contacting the manufacturer, as this information is not provided in the available evidence.