Zincofer is an Iron Glycinate Supplement
Yes, Zincofer is an iron glycinate (ferrous bisglycinate) supplement used to treat iron deficiency anemia. 1, 2
Iron Glycinate Properties and Benefits
- Iron glycinate (also called ferrous bisglycinate) is a chelated form of iron where iron is bound to the amino acid glycine, creating a more stable compound 2
- It is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid formulations, typically containing about 25 mg of elemental iron per tablet 1
- Ferrous bisglycinate is one of several oral iron preparations available for treating iron deficiency, alongside more traditional options like ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, and ferrous fumarate 1
- Iron glycinate has better absorption from food matrices (milk, wheat, corn flour) compared to ferrous sulfate, making it effective even when taken with meals 2
- It causes fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to traditional iron salts like ferrous sulfate, improving patient tolerance and compliance 3, 4
Effectiveness for Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Ferrous bisglycinate has been shown to be effective in treating iron deficiency anemia in multiple clinical trials 5, 3, 6
- A meta-analysis found that ferrous bisglycinate supplementation resulted in higher hemoglobin concentrations in pregnant women compared to other iron supplements 4
- In infants with iron deficiency anemia, ferrous bisglycinate demonstrated significantly higher bioavailability (90.9%) compared to ferrous sulfate (26.7%) 6
- Lower doses of ferrous bisglycinate (25 mg) can be as effective as higher doses of ferrous sulfate (50 mg) due to its superior absorption 3
- Iron absorption from ferrous bisglycinate is regulated by iron stores, meaning the body absorbs more when deficient and less when replete 2, 6
Clinical Use Considerations
- Oral iron supplements like Zincofer should be considered first-line treatment for patients with iron deficiency or mild anemia whose disease is clinically inactive 1
- Iron supplementation should be recommended in all patients when iron deficiency anemia is present, with the goal of correcting anemia and normalizing iron stores 1
- Intravenous iron should be considered instead of oral supplements in patients with active inflammatory disease, previous intolerance to oral iron, hemoglobin below 100 g/L, or those needing erythropoiesis-stimulating agents 1
- Iron supplementation is contraindicated in patients with hemochromatosis, other iron overload disorders, or those with normal or elevated ferritin levels 7
- Tea and coffee should not be consumed within an hour after taking iron supplements as they inhibit iron absorption 1
Monitoring and Safety
- Ferritin levels should be monitored to prevent iron overload, with target levels during maintenance therapy between 50-100 μg/L 7
- Iron parameters can be misleading in the presence of inflammation, requiring careful assessment before supplementation 1, 7
- In patients without evidence of active disease, serum ferritin <30 μg/L is an appropriate criterion for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia 1
- In the presence of inflammation, serum ferritin up to 100 μg/L may still be consistent with iron deficiency 1
In conclusion, Zincofer, as an iron glycinate supplement, represents an effective option for iron supplementation with potentially better absorption and tolerability than traditional iron salts, making it a valuable choice for treating iron deficiency anemia.