From the Guidelines
Pregnant women are recommended to take a daily supplement of 30-60 mg of iron, in the form of ferrous sulfate, and 0.4-0.8 mg of folic acid, as found in prenatal vitamins, as supported by 1, 2.
Key Considerations
- The usual dose of elemental iron per day is 60 to 120 mg for treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women, but for prevention, a lower dose of 30 mg is often prescribed in early pregnancy, as noted in 1.
- Folic acid supplementation is crucial, with a recommended dose of 0.4-0.8 mg per day for pregnant women, as stated in 3.
- It is essential to consult a healthcare provider before taking any supplements to determine the best course of treatment and to monitor iron levels throughout pregnancy.
Monitoring and Adjustments
- Serum levels of iron, folic acid, and other micronutrients should be checked regularly during pregnancy to adjust supplementation as needed, as recommended in 4.
- The healthcare provider may adjust the dosage based on individual needs, such as increased risk for iron deficiency anemia or other nutritional deficiencies.
Important Notes
- Pregnant women should be cautious not to exceed the recommended daily intake of folic acid, as high doses may complicate the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency, as warned in 3.
- A balanced diet that includes natural sources of iron and folic acid, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and whole grains, is also essential for maintaining optimal nutrition during pregnancy, as suggested in 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
16 HOW SUPPLIED Ferrous Sulfate Tablets are available as follows: Each tablet contains 324mg of ferrous sulfate, equivalent to 65mg of elemental iron, providing 362% of the U.S. recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron for adults and children 4 and older.
OVERDOSAGE Except during pregnancy and lactation, folic acid should not be given in therapeutic doses greater than 0.4 mg daily until pernicious anemia has been ruled out.
The recommended dosage of prenatal ferrous sulfate (iron) is not explicitly stated in the provided drug labels, but the label for ferrous sulfate indicates that each tablet contains 65mg of elemental iron. The recommended dosage of prenatal folic acid is not explicitly stated in the provided drug labels, but the label for folic acid indicates that doses exceeding the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) should not be included in multivitamin preparations and that 0.4 mg daily should not be exceeded until pernicious anemia has been ruled out, except during pregnancy and lactation [5] [6].
From the Research
Recommended Dosage of Prenatal Ferrous Sulfate (Iron) and Folic Acid
- The recommended dosage of prenatal ferrous sulfate (iron) and folic acid is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
- However, the studies suggest that daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy can reduce maternal anaemia and iron deficiency at term 7, 8, 9.
- The studies also suggest that iron supplementation can reduce the risk of low birthweight and improve infant birthweight 7, 8, 9.
- A study comparing iron bis-glycinate chelate and ferrous sulfate found that 15 mg/day of iron from iron-bis-glycinate chelate was more effective than 40 mg iron from ferrous sulfate in controlling iron deficiency in pregnant women 10.
- Another study found that about 65% of women diagnosed with iron deficiency, and 62.3% of women diagnosed with anaemia were taking an iron-only supplement, with or without a multivitamin, and that only 46.7% of women diagnosed with iron deficiency were taking ≥100 mg/day iron from supplements 11.
Dosage Considerations
- The dosage of iron supplements can vary, with some studies suggesting that doses of 30-99 mg/day are commonly used for prevention, while doses of ≥100 mg/day are used for treatment 11.
- The studies suggest that healthcare professionals should advise women individually about the type and dose of supplement best suited to their needs 11.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin containing 27 mg of iron per day, and that women with iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia take an additional 30-100 mg of iron per day 7.