Active Iron is a food supplement and not a medicine, meaning our products contain 100-179% of the recommended daily allowance of iron, whereas prescription iron has a higher dose. For example, prescription iron may contain 100mg elemental iron. The issue with high-dose iron is that it oxidises in the gut and, as a result, it is poorly absorbed³. 

It is this oxidation and poor absorption that cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and constipation in 8/10 people⁴. Typically, 50% of people stop taking iron as a result of these side effects⁵.

Most liquid iron supplements contain a much lower dose of iron, which is why they can avoid these common side effects. Although this is a great benefit, they often do not provide sufficient iron to increase iron levels, with some only containing 5mg of iron per serving.

Active Iron is different. Unlike other oral iron, its whey protein formula protects the iron from oxidation, allowing for 2X better absorption¹.  As a result, Active Iron is clinically proven to increase iron levels by 94% and is gentle on the stomach, helping to prevent gastrointestinal side effects and allowing for 4X better compliance in taking the product².

The recommended dosage of Active Iron may vary depending on the individual’s age, sex, and specific iron deficiency needs. Our product doses range from 14 mg to 25mg; the risk of side effects does not increase with the dose². 

Active Iron is best taken on an empty stomach to optimise absorption and minimise potential digestive issues. Avoiding the intake of tea, coffee, milk, eggs, whole-grain cereals, and dietary fibre at the same time as taking Active Iron is recommended, as these can reduce iron absorption and potentially contribute to stomach discomfort.

It is advisable to take Active Iron with a glass of orange juice (vitamin C enhances iron absorption) one hour before meals or wait for one to two hours after your last meal before taking it.

Active Iron is less likely to cause stomach upset compared to other iron supplements, as it is highly absorbed.  It is the unabsorbed iron in the gut that causes gastrointestinal discomfort. Active Iron has also been clinically proven to be six times less likely to cause gut irritation compared to other iron supplements².

If your patient is experiencing stomach upset, it might be worthwhile to try another box of Active Iron while adhering to the recommended instructions.

Active Iron is designed to be gentle on the stomach compared to other iron supplements, but individual experiences may vary. By taking it on an empty stomach and avoiding certain foods or beverages that hinder iron absorption, you can increase the likelihood of a positive experience with Active Iron.

Active Iron is a low dose product (from 14mg to 25mg) that is highly absorbed compared to other iron supplements¹. We recommend Active Iron only to those who are at risk of developing low iron levels (i.e those with regular periods, pregnant, vegetarians, heavy exercisers) or have low iron levels.

14mg of iron is the recommended daily allowance for iron set by the regulator (EFSA). 14mg would be considered safe based on daily intake for the average person. A tolerable upper limit of 45mg has been recommended for iron and this is based on tolerability of iron products.

There is an inherited condition called haemochromatosis where iron levels build up slowly over many years. Women with periods will have a slower build up than men as there will be iron loss monthly. There is no way of knowing you have this condition unless you have the genetic screening for it.

Yes, Active Iron is safe for pregnancy and breasfeeding. It is recommended that Active Iron is taken early in pregnancy to avoid the need for higher dose iron (which can cause side effects) later in pregnancy.

Active Iron is clinically proven to increase iron and energy levels in six weeks².

Some medications interact with any iron formulation (not only Active Iron) like Omeprazole or other medications that increase stomach pH and reduce iron absorption. All iron forms (not only Active Iron) also reduce levothyroxine hormone absorption. In these cases, a gap of 2-3 hours is recommended between iron supplement and the other medication.

Active Iron does not interact with contraceptive pills, hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) or multivitamins. Some minerals such as calcium and magnesium can inhibit the absorption or each other when made in one form. We have optimized our multivitamins and minerals formulations to reduce the interaction of Active Iron with calcium in our multivitamin and mineral tablets.

Active Iron is available to purchase on activeiron.com as well as Boots, Holland & Barrett, Amazon & pharmacies nationwide.