Last update
5/7/2025

Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 11 Researches
6
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 11 Reviews
8.1

Top Medical Research Studies

We assessed how iron supplementation impacts blood donors who may suffer from low iron levels. Our analysis included thirty studies with nearly 4,700 participants, focusing on the differences between those receiving iron and those who didn’t.

We found that iron supplements reduced the chances of donors being deferred due to low hemoglobin levels and helped elevate their hemoglobin and iron stores. However, we also noted more side effects, like constipation and nausea, among those taking iron.

These side effects hinder its widespread use, suggesting iron supplements should be targeted to at-risk individuals only.
8
Infant formula impacts stool consistency
We evaluated how different infant formulas affect the stool characteristics of infants. Two clinical studies focused on infants transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding to formula feeding and those already on formula.

Parents recorded each infant's feeding tolerance, spit-up occurrences, and stool characteristics during the trials. Our findings revealed that the composition of the formula impacts stool consistency.

Specifically, infants consuming formula A exhibited softer stools and more frequent bowel movements compared to those on formula B, which may help lessen concerns about constipation associated with iron-fortified options.
5
Constipation prevalence linked to iron
We investigated the prevalence and contributing factors of constipation among healthy pregnant women over the course of their pregnancy. Our longitudinal study showed that constipation affects about 24% of women during various stages of pregnancy and even postpartum.

Notably, we found that iron supplementation was linked to a higher risk of constipation. This means that while iron is an important nutrient during pregnancy, it may also contribute to discomfort for some women.

These findings highlight the importance of monitoring bowel health as part of prenatal care.

Most Useful Reviews

9
Zero problems experienced
16 people found this helpful
This product works great but contains talc, making it the only option I found that did not cause intestinal upset and constipation. My ferritin level improved significantly, although I'm uncomfortable about the talc. The response from the company was polite and prompt.
9
Best iron supplement
13 people found this helpful
I had given up on iron supplements due to side effects. This is the best I've tried, with minimal upset stomach and constipation. My iron numbers are gradually increasing; I was instructed by my doctor to take 2 a day, but that's too much for me. Take with vitamin C for better absorption.
7.5
No constipation issues
8 people found this helpful
I chose this on my elderly mother's doctor's recommendation. She is severely anaemic but dislikes the taste and constipation usually associated with iron. This supplement has been well-tolerated and has improved her activity level.

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 11 Researches
6
  • All Researches
We assessed how iron supplementation impacts blood donors who may suffer from low iron levels. Our analysis included thirty studies with nearly 4,700 participants, focusing on the differences between those receiving iron and those who didn’t.

We found that iron supplements reduced the chances of donors being deferred due to low hemoglobin levels and helped elevate their hemoglobin and iron stores. However, we also noted more side effects, like constipation and nausea, among those taking iron.

These side effects hinder its widespread use, suggesting iron supplements should be targeted to at-risk individuals only.
8
Iron deficiency linked to constipation
This study examined the connection between gastrointestinal issues, particularly constipation, and depression in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Conducted at Trakya University, the case-control study involved 125 IDA patients and 57 healthy individuals.

We found that IDA patients reported constipation significantly more often than the control group, with 56% experiencing this symptom. Additionally, their self-reported intensity of bloating and dyspepsia was notably higher, indicating a clear link between IDA, gastrointestinal discomfort, and potential mental health challenges.
8
Infant formula impacts stool consistency
We evaluated how different infant formulas affect the stool characteristics of infants. Two clinical studies focused on infants transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding to formula feeding and those already on formula.

Parents recorded each infant's feeding tolerance, spit-up occurrences, and stool characteristics during the trials. Our findings revealed that the composition of the formula impacts stool consistency.

Specifically, infants consuming formula A exhibited softer stools and more frequent bowel movements compared to those on formula B, which may help lessen concerns about constipation associated with iron-fortified options.
7
Iron's minimal effect on constipation
We explored the effects of low-dose iron supplementation on gastrointestinal complaints, particularly constipation, in pregnant women. Conducting two randomized studies, we aimed to determine how different forms of iron—ferrous fumarate, ferrous bisglycinate, and ferrous sulphate—would affect the frequency of GI issues among healthy women throughout their pregnancy.

Through our investigations, we found that constipation was only significantly associated with higher doses of ferrous fumarate (80 mg/day). Interestingly, women taking lower doses of ferrous fumarate (20-60 mg/day) did not report more GI side effects, indicating that manageable doses of iron may be tolerated without significant worry about constipation.

Among the iron formulas tested, ferrous bisglycinate at 25 mg showed the best profile, resulting in fewer GI complaints overall compared to the others. In fact, it was linked to a lower incidence of black stools, which can often be associated with iron intake. Ultimately, we observed that while low-dose iron supplementation might incur some side effects, they are generally not severe enough to warrant a change in dosage or interruption of treatment.
We carefully looked at the impact of lactoferrin (Lf) on treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children, especially focusing on its connection to constipation. In an extensive review of 11 studies, including 10 randomized controlled trials, we saw promising results where children receiving Lf showed notable improvements in their hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels compared to those who only received iron or a placebo.

Interestingly, we found that while some adverse effects like constipation, vomiting, and abdominal pain were reported, those treated with Lf experienced a significant decrease in constipation. This suggests that Lf not only helps in boosting iron levels but may also be easier on the digestive system than traditional iron supplements.

Overall, our exploration indicates that incorporating lactoferrin in the treatment of IDA in children not only helps address anemia effectively but also might provide a gentler alternative for the gut. Users considering iron supplements for their children might find lactoferrin to be a beneficial option.

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 11 Reviews
8.1
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Zero problems experienced
16 people found this helpful
This product works great but contains talc, making it the only option I found that did not cause intestinal upset and constipation. My ferritin level improved significantly, although I'm uncomfortable about the talc. The response from the company was polite and prompt.
9
Best iron supplement
13 people found this helpful
I had given up on iron supplements due to side effects. This is the best I've tried, with minimal upset stomach and constipation. My iron numbers are gradually increasing; I was instructed by my doctor to take 2 a day, but that's too much for me. Take with vitamin C for better absorption.
7.5
No constipation issues
8 people found this helpful
I chose this on my elderly mother's doctor's recommendation. She is severely anaemic but dislikes the taste and constipation usually associated with iron. This supplement has been well-tolerated and has improved her activity level.
9
No constipation noticed
3 people found this helpful
This iron supplement is the only one my OB trusts. Although I hesitated due to the price, it offers positive results. During my last pregnancy, I required IV iron, but I haven’t needed it this time. The pills are quite large but easy to swallow, with no side effects like constipation, making them worth it.
9
No constipation
3 people found this helpful
Good iron supplement. The capsules are a bit large, but my iron levels have improved. The heme iron absorbs better. I take 2 a day and plan to continue for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

No FAQs are available for this product and symptom.

References

  1. Milman NT, Bergholt T. Low-Dose Prophylactic Oral Iron Supplementation (Ferrous Fumarate, Ferrous Bisglycinate, and Ferrous Sulphate) in Pregnancy Is Not Associated With Clinically Significant Gastrointestinal Complaints: Results From Two Randomized Studies. J Pregnancy. 2024;2024:1716798. 10.1155/2024/1716798
  2. Banerjee A, Athalye S, Shingade P, Khargekar V, Mahajan N, et al. Efficacy of daily versus intermittent oral iron supplementation for prevention of anaemia among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2024;74:102742. 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102742
  3. June D, Konstantin AT, Lumbanradja LA, Aryani A, Hengky A. Lactoferrin as treatment for iron-deficiency anemia in children: a systematic review. Turk J Pediatr. 2023;65:543. 10.24953/turkjped.2022.670
  4. Suzuki D, Ichie T, Hayashi H, Sugiura Y, Sugiyama T. Efficacy of sucroferric oxyhydroxide treatment in Japanese hemodialysis patients and its effect on gastrointestinal symptoms. Pharmazie. 2017;72:118. 10.1691/ph.2017.6848
  5. Abdel Moety GAF, Ali AM, Fouad R, Ramadan W, Belal DS, et al. Amino acid chelated iron versus an iron salt in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia with pregnancy: A randomized controlled study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2017;210:242. 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2017.01.003
  6. Pamuk GE, Uyanik MS, Top MS, Tapan U, Ak R, et al. Gastrointestinal symptoms are closely associated with depression in iron deficiency anemia: a comparative study. Ann Saudi Med. 2015;35:31. 10.5144/0256-4947.2015.31
  7. Smith GA, Fisher SA, Doree C, Di Angelantonio E, Roberts DJ. Oral or parenteral iron supplementation to reduce deferral, iron deficiency and/or anaemia in blood donors. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014:CD009532. 10.1002/14651858.CD009532.pub2
  8. Pereira DI, Couto Irving SS, Lomer MC, Powell JJ. A rapid, simple questionnaire to assess gastrointestinal symptoms after oral ferrous sulphate supplementation. BMC Gastroenterol. 2014;14:103. 10.1186/1471-230X-14-103
  9. Bradley CS, Kennedy CM, Turcea AM, Rao SS, Nygaard IE. Constipation in pregnancy: prevalence, symptoms, and risk factors. Obstet Gynecol. 2007;110:1351.
  10. Singhal A, Morley R, Abbott R, Fairweather-Tait S, Stephenson T, et al. Clinical safety of iron-fortified formulas. Pediatrics. 2000;105:E38.
  11. Lloyd B, Halter RJ, Kuchan MJ, Baggs GE, Ryan AS, et al. Formula tolerance in postbreastfed and exclusively formula-fed infants. Pediatrics. 1999;103:E7.
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