mineral

Iron (ferrous bisglycinate)

Also known as: ferrous

Half-life
Typical timing
morning
Food rule
either
Default unit
mg

Overview

Iron is an essential mineral vital for numerous bodily functions. Ferrous bisglycinate is a form of iron that is chelated to two glycine molecules. This chelation makes it more readily absorbed by the body compared to some other iron compounds and generally causes fewer gastrointestinal side effects. It is primarily used to prevent or treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency is a common nutritional deficiency globally, affecting a significant portion of the population, particularly women, children, and individuals with certain medical conditions. Symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, and restless legs syndrome. (NIH ODS - Iron)

Deep dive

Tap a section to expand.

Known interactions

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Calcium competes with iron for absorption, so taking large doses together reduces iron uptake.

    Separate them by at least 2 hours.

    Suggested separation: 2 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Synergy

    Vitamin C increases absorption of non-heme (supplement) iron.

    Fine to take together; no need to separate.

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Iron reduces absorption of thyroid medication when taken together.

    Separate by about 4 hours.

    Suggested separation: 4 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Divalent cations chelate levothyroxine in the gut and reduce absorption by up to 30%.

    Take levothyroxine on empty stomach; separate mineral supplements by at least 4 hours.

    Suggested separation: 4 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Divalent cations chelate levothyroxine in the gut and reduce absorption by up to 30%.

    Take levothyroxine on empty stomach; separate mineral supplements by at least 4 hours.

    Suggested separation: 4 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Minerals chelate T3 and reduce absorption.

    Separate liothyronine and mineral supplements by at least 4 hours.

    Suggested separation: 4 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Polyphenols in coffee/tea inhibit non-heme iron absorption by up to 60%.

    Take iron away from coffee and tea by at least 2 hours.

    Suggested separation: 2 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Calcium competes with iron for absorption.

    Separate iron and calcium by at least 2 hours.

    Suggested separation: 2 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Divalent cations chelate levothyroxine in the gut and reduce absorption by up to 30%.

    Take levothyroxine on empty stomach; separate mineral supplements by at least 4 hours.

    Suggested separation: 4 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Divalent cations chelate levothyroxine in the gut and reduce absorption by up to 30%.

    Take levothyroxine on empty stomach; separate mineral supplements by at least 4 hours.

    Suggested separation: 4 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Minerals chelate T3 and reduce absorption.

    Separate liothyronine and mineral supplements by at least 4 hours.

    Suggested separation: 4 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Polyphenols in coffee/tea inhibit non-heme iron absorption by up to 60%.

    Take iron away from coffee and tea by at least 2 hours.

    Suggested separation: 2 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Caution

    Calcium competes with iron for absorption.

    Separate iron and calcium by at least 2 hours.

    Suggested separation: 2 h

  • Compound-pair rule
    Synergy

    Vitamin C converts iron to more absorbable ferrous form.

    Take iron with 200–500 mg vitamin C to boost absorption.

Frequently asked

Sources referenced

["NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) - Iron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals", "MedlinePlus - Iron", "PubChem - Ferrous Bisglycinate", "Mayo Clinic - Restless Legs Syndrome", "Mayo Clinic - Crohn's Disease", "Cochrane Review: 'Iron supplementation for anaemia in pregnancy' (searchable via Cochrane Library)", "DrugBank - Ferrous Bisglycinate", "U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Levothyroxine (various manufacturers' labels)", "European Medicines Agency (EMA) - SmPC for Alendronic Acid (various manufacturers' summaries)"]

Stackwise compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician.

Related compounds

Others in the mineral category or studied for the same goals.

Track Iron (ferrous bisglycinate) in Stackwise

Add it to your stack. We'll schedule doses, check interactions against everything else you take, and remind you at the right time.

Sign up free →