Knowledge · Natural Compounds

Iron

Q: Does Iron help with iron deficiency and anaemia? What the studies show

We evaluated 40 meta-analyses or systematic reviews, 163 controlled studies and 15 further studies; the controlled studies include 49,713 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mostly improved. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: [1, 2, 3, 5]

Q: Does Iron help with fatigue and physical performance? What the studies show

We evaluated 12 meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 24 controlled studies; the controlled studies include 5,186 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mostly improved. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: [5, 6, 10, 12]

Q: Does Iron help with heart failure? What the studies show

We evaluated 18 meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 15 controlled studies; the controlled studies include 10,421 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mixed. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: [5, 6, 7, 8]

Q: Does Iron help with infants and children? What the studies show

We evaluated 4 meta-analyses or systematic reviews, 16 controlled studies and 3 further studies; the controlled studies include 14,516 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mostly no difference. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: [28, 43, 48, 61]

Q: Does Iron help with sleep and restless legs? What the studies show

We evaluated 3 meta-analyses or systematic reviews, 2 controlled studies and one further study; the controlled studies include 176 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mostly improved. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: [30, 50, 51, 53]

Q: Does Iron help with concentration and cognitive development? What the studies show

We evaluated one meta-analysis or systematic review, 17 controlled studies and 2 further studies; the controlled studies include 7,673 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mixed. Strength of evidence under our published rules: moderate. Sources: [4, 43, 71, 77]

Q: What is iron and what does the body need it for?

Iron is a trace element that is needed above all for the red blood pigment haemoglobin, which transports oxygen. It is also contained in the muscle pigment myoglobin and in many enzymes. Iron is stored as ferritin, whose blood value serves as a measure of the iron reserves.

Q: Which forms of iron were studied in the studies?

Studied were oral iron salts, liposomal iron and infusions such as ferric carboxymaltose and iron sucrose; several studies compared infusion and oral intake directly [22, 48, 81].

Iron is a trace element for haemoglobin, myoglobin and many enzymes; human studies show benefit mainly in iron deficiency, anaemia and heart failure.

Last updated: 2026-10-15

Iron at a Glance

In iron deficiency and anaemia, iron infusions in several controlled studies raised haemoglobin and ferritin more than placebo or oral iron 5 18 20 22 24.

Iron infusions reduced the need for transfusion around operations and during chemotherapy compared with placebo or oral iron 18 27 32 38 39 40.

In heart failure with iron deficiency, iron infusions in several meta-analyses lengthened the walking distance in the 6-minute test compared with placebo or standard treatment 5 6 10 12 14 15.

In heart failure with iron deficiency, iron infusions in several meta-analyses improved the combined endpoint of heart failure hospitalisation and cardiovascular death 6 7 8 10 11 12.

In restless legs syndrome, iron, taken orally or as an infusion, improved the IRLS score in a meta-analysis and a systematic review more than placebo 50 53.

We evaluated 280 human studies on Iron, including 198 randomised controlled trials and 66 meta-analyses or systematic reviews; the controlled studies include 70,680 participants in total. As of 3 October 2026.

This page as PDF · Summary

1. What Is Iron? Occurrence, Origin and Forms

Iron is a trace element the body needs above all for the red blood pigment haemoglobin, which carries oxygen, and also for the muscle pigment myoglobin and many enzymes. Iron is stored as ferritin, whose blood level serves as a measure of the iron reserves.

Readily absorbed haem iron occurs in meat, liver and fish; plant iron from pulses, whole grains, seeds and green vegetables is absorbed less well, better together with vitamin C.

Oral supplements contain ferrous iron (such as ferrous sulfate, fumarate, gluconate, bisglycinate) or ferric iron in complexes. In severe deficiency or intolerance, iron is given as an infusion.

Forms and Preparations Studied

Oral iron salts (sulfate, fumarate, gluconate, bisglycinate)
Oral ferric iron complexes and liposomal iron
Iron infusions, such as ferric carboxymaltose
Iron-fortified foods
Combination products with iron – the other ingredients are named in each case

Not covered on this page:

Iron removal with chelators in iron overload (deferasirox, deferoxamine, deferiprone)
Iron oxide nanoparticles as contrast agents and in technology

2. What Does Iron Do? Results by Area

Area	Result in controlled studies	Strength of evidence	Studies	Participants
Iron deficiency and anaemia	mostly improved	high	40 meta-analyses · 163 controlled · 15 other	49,713
Fatigue and physical performance	mostly improved	high	12 meta-analyses · 24 controlled · 0 other	5,186
Heart failure	mixed	high	18 meta-analyses · 15 controlled · 0 other	10,421
Infants and children	mostly no difference	high	4 meta-analyses · 16 controlled · 3 other	14,516
Sleep and restless legs	mostly improved	high	3 meta-analyses · 2 controlled · 1 other	176
Concentration and cognitive development	mixed	moderate	1 meta-analyses · 17 controlled · 2 other	7,673
Pregnancy	mixed	low	3 meta-analyses · 11 controlled · 4 other	10,556
Other outcomes	mixed	high	24 meta-analyses · 95 controlled · 24 other	30,425

How to read the table: counted are human studies whose results concern the area. “High” means at least one meta-analysis and two controlled studies showing improvement, or at least three controlled studies of which three quarters show improvement, with at least 300 participants in total. “Moderate” means at least two controlled studies showing improvement, as a majority, or one meta-analysis alongside controlled studies. “Low” means one controlled study showing improvement. Where an area has no controlled study, the strength of evidence is at most “low” (result “reviews only” or “observational data only”). Everything else is “unclear”. A study counts as showing improvement when at least half of its outcomes in this area improved. Reviews of combination products do not count as meta-analyses; results that only describe side effects or shares of users do not count as an effect. The same study is counted only once.

3. What the Studies Show in Detail

Iron, Iron Deficiency and Anaemia: Human Studies

In iron deficiency and anaemia, haemoglobin rose more with iron infusions in several controlled studies than with placebo or oral iron 5 18 20 22 24. Oral iron reduced iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy compared with placebo or no administration 28 64 162. The strength of evidence is high; studied were iron sulfate, fumarate, gluconate and bisglycinate for oral intake, trivalent complexes, liposomal iron as well as infusions such as ferric carboxymaltose. Iron infusions reduced the need for transfusion around operations and during chemotherapy compared with placebo or oral iron 18 27 32 38 39 40. In tumour-related anaemia, iron in addition to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents improved the blood count more than these agents alone 57.

Study	Design · participants	Preparation · dose · duration · comparison	Result
1 van et al. 2024	systematic review · 930,436 participants	Oral and intravenous iron preparations; cumulative monthly IV: 108–750 mg (HD) vs. 65–250 mg (PD); vs. hemodialysis versus peritoneal dialysis	prevalence of intravenous iron supplementation: improved (11.7% to 84.4% in HD patients, compared to 1.6% to 49.0% in PD patients); cumulative monthly IV iron dose: improved (108 to 750 mg in the HD group, compared to 65 to 250 mg in the PD group); hemoglobin levels: no difference (10.0 to 12.0 g/dL in HD patients, versus 9.6 to 11.9 g/dL in PD patients)
2 Hou et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 18,376 participants	12 phosphorus-lowering drugs, including iron-containing phosphate binders; vs. Placebo and other phosphorus-lowering drugs	serum phosphorus: improved; iron parameters: improved
3 Zheng et al. 2023	meta-analysis · 14,737 participants	HIF-PHIs (e.g., roxadustat) versus erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs); vs. HIF-PHIs versus ESAs	Transferrin saturation: no difference (MD, 0.65; 95%CI, -0.45 to 1.75); Ferritin: no difference (SMD, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.13 to 0.07); Iron: improved (MD, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.40 to 3.20)
5 Awad et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 7,813 participants	intravenous iron; vs. placebo	serum ferritin: improved; haemoglobin: improved
8 Du et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 7,009 participants	Intravenous iron therapy; vs. Control group	All-cause mortality in anemic patients: unclear (RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.70–1.01, P = 0.06); All-cause mortality in non-anemic patients: unclear (RR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.90–1.81, P = 0.16)
17 Tanrıverdi et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 4,757 participants	Ferric carboxymaltose vs. iron sucrose, intravenous; vs. Ferric carboxymaltose versus iron sucrose	Change in hemoglobin: improved (MD: 0.45 g/dL, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.83, p=0.02); Change in ferritin: improved (MD: 37.32 ng/mL, 95% CI: 18.98 to 55.65, p<0.01)
18 Xue et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 4,688 participants	Intravenous iron preparations, including ferric carboxymaltose and iron isomaltoside; vs. Placebo or other intravenous iron preparations in the network	Hemoglobin concentration: improved (MD 0.76 g/dL, 95 % CrI 0.56 to 0.96); Hemoglobin concentration: improved (MD 0.65 g/dL, 95 % CrI 0.33 to 0.97); Transfusion requirements: improved (OR 0.72, 95 % CrI 0.55 to 0.91)
19 Chen et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 4,257 participants	intravenous iron; high-dose versus low-dose IV iron; vs. placebo/usual care, oral iron, varying IV iron doses	all-cause mortality versus placebo/usual care: no difference (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 0.60-3.09); all-cause mortality versus oral iron: no difference (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.18-1.90); all-cause mortality high-dose versus low-dose IV iron: improved (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67-0.97)

Further studies in this area: 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 52 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 69 70 71 72 73 77 79 80 81 86 88 89 90 91 93 94 95 96 97 98 100 101 102 103 105 106 108 110 112 113 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 126 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 210 212 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 233 234 235 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 247 249 250 251 253 255 256 257 258 259 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 271 272 275 276 277 279 280

Iron, Fatigue and Physical Performance: Human Studies

In heart failure with iron deficiency, exercise capacity improved more with iron infusions than with placebo or standard treatment 5 31. After childbirth, fatigue decreased more with iron infusions than with oral iron 20. Studied were predominantly people with iron deficiency and underlying diseases such as heart failure, anaemia or tumour disease; on healthy people without iron deficiency, the evaluated studies allow no statement.

Study	Design · participants	Preparation · dose · duration · comparison	Result
5 Awad et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 7,813 participants	intravenous iron; vs. placebo	6-min walk test: improved (MD 34.87, 95% CI [20.02, 49.72], p < 0.00001); peak VO2: improved
6 Liu et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 7,786 participants	intravenous iron therapy; vs. control/placebo	6-minute walking test distance: improved (WMD = 18.99 [7.41, 30.57])
10 Mejía-Zambrano et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 6,717 participants	Iron supplementation (form not specified); vs. Placebo	6-minute walk test: improved (OR, 0.79; 95%CI, 0.64-0.98)
12 Mhanna et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 6,614 participants	intravenous iron therapy; vs. standard of care	6-minute walk test: improved
14 Ahmed et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 6,493 participants	Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM); Follow-up at 1 year and maximum follow-up; vs. Placebo or standard care	6-minute walk test: improved (MD 29.19 m, 95% CI 11.95-46.43)
15 Mohamed et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 6,405 participants	Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM); vs. Control group	6-minute walk test: improved
16 Padda et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 5,132 participants	Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose; vs. Placebo or standard of care	Change in 6-min walk test distance: no difference (WMD of 14.03 (95% CI: -10.94 to 38.99, p = 0.27))
18 Xue et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 4,688 participants	Intravenous iron preparations, including ferric carboxymaltose and iron isomaltoside; vs. Placebo or other intravenous iron preparations in the network	Quality of life: fatigue and dyspnea (QLQ-C30): improved; Physical functioning (SF-36): improved

Further studies in this area: 20 31 47 60 72 101 112 132 145 147 157 166 174 175 176 198 200 205 208 222 225 232 239 252 255 258 259 264

Iron and Heart Failure: Human Studies

In heart failure with iron deficiency, iron infusions, including ferric carboxymaltose, improved the combined endpoint of heart failure hospitalisation and cardiovascular death in several meta-analyses 6 7 8 10 11 12. Heart failure hospitalisation alone also decreased in several meta-analyses 5 6 7 12 13 14. Regarding cardiovascular death, meta-analyses reported both improvements 6 7 and no differences 15 25. NYHA class was better with iron infusions than with control in several meta-analyses 5 12 25. For quality of life, two meta-analyses found an advantage 5 12, two others found no confirmed difference 15 16. In acute heart failure, one meta-analysis found no difference in repeat hospital admissions and mortality 24. For cardiovascular hospital admissions and deaths combined, another meta-analysis showed no confirmed difference 16. Ejection fraction increased in two meta-analyses on iron infusions 5 25 and in one on oral iron 47; another meta-analysis found no substantial effect 12. In preserved ejection fraction, ferric carboxymaltose improved diastolic function in a placebo-controlled study 198. In a controlled study, ferric carboxymaltose improved NYHA class and self-assessment compared with standard treatment; the advantage in oxygen uptake was not robust 146. In a placebo-controlled study, oral ferrous sulfate lengthened walking distance 211, whereas a meta-analysis on oral iron found no difference 47. Mostly intravenous iron preparations such as ferric carboxymaltose were studied in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; the certainty of evidence is considered high. The benefit in acute heart failure as well as the best dose and the rhythm of administration remain open.

Study	Design · participants	Preparation · dose · duration · comparison	Result
5 Awad et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 7,813 participants	intravenous iron; vs. placebo	Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire: improved (MD 7.39, 95% CI [3.55, 11.22], p = 0.0002); left ventricular ejection fraction: improved (MD 3.76, 95% CI [2.32, 5.21], p < 0.00001); NYHA class: improved
6 Liu et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 7,786 participants	intravenous iron therapy; vs. control/placebo	Composite of total HF hospitalization and cardiovascular death: improved (RR = 0.82 [0.72, 0.92]); Total hospitalization for heart failure: improved (RR = 0.78 [0.66, 0.91]); First hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death: improved (OR = 0.78 [0.65, 0.93])
7 Shalabi et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 7,491 participants	Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose; vs. Placebo	Heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death: improved (RR 0.89, 95 % CI 0.83-0.96; P = 0.0016); Heart failure hospitalizations: improved (RR 0.82, 95 % CI 0.77-0.87; P < 0.0001); Cardiovascular death: improved (RR 0.89, 95 % CI 0.80-0.99; P = 0.0384)
8 Du et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 7,009 participants	Intravenous iron therapy; vs. Control group	First heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death: improved (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72–0.86, P < 0.001); Heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death: improved (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75–0.98, P = 0.02)
10 Mejía-Zambrano et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 6,717 participants	Iron supplementation (form not specified); vs. Placebo	Hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death: improved (OR, 0.62; 95%CI, 0.54-0.70)
11 Ahmed et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 6,651 participants	intravenous iron therapy; vs. placebo or standard of care	Composite of first heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular mortality: improved (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.92); Cardiovascular mortality: unclear (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.01); First heart failure hospitalization: unclear (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.51 to 1.05)
12 Mhanna et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 6,614 participants	intravenous iron therapy; vs. standard of care	composite of HF hospitalizations or cardiovascular mortality: improved (RR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.96; P = 0.01); HF hospitalizations: improved (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.89; P = 0.002); all-cause, HF, and cardiovascular mortality: no difference
13 Wang et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 6,511 participants	intravenous iron therapy; subgroup analysis: treatment duration ≥ 24 weeks; vs. placebo or control	heart failure hospitalizations and cardiovascular death: improved (21% relative reduction (P<0.01)); heart failure hospitalization: improved (24% relative reduction (P<0.01)); cardiovascular hospitalizations and cardiovascular death: improved (28% relative reduction (P<0.01))

Further studies in this area: 14 15 16 19 24 25 26 31 47 65 72 74 79 82 83 84 146 198 206 209 211 218 232 255 258

Iron, Infants and Children: Human Studies

Birth weight differed neither between iron infusion and oral iron in anaemia in pregnancy 48 96 nor between iron supplementation and placebo or no supplementation 64. Preterm births, low birth weight and small-for-gestational-age newborns were also not less frequent with iron supplementation than with placebo or no supplementation 64. A systematic review found low birth weight and small-for-gestational-age newborns less often with oral iron than without iron in non-anaemic pregnant women with normal iron status 28. In fully breastfed healthy infants, weight and head circumference increased somewhat less with iron supplementation than without iron according to a meta-analysis 43. In children with iron deficiency without anaemia, the authors of a placebo-controlled study also report more favourable growth with liposomal iron; the summary does not provide measured values for this 109. In children with iron deficiency anaemia, weight at the end of the study was higher with liposomal iron than with conventional iron polymaltose complex 140. A drink enriched with iron, zinc and other micronutrients as well as spirulina, by contrast, did not change length growth and body size 86 143. Newborns of mothers who took ferrous fumarate had higher cord ferritin than after placebo 162. In one study, a micronutrient powder with much zinc and little iron slowed the decline in length-for-age z-score somewhat more than placebo 73, in another a similar powder did not change growth 69. For birth weight and growth, findings without difference predominated. Oral iron salts, liposomal iron, iron-enriched foods as well as infusions with ferric carboxymaltose and iron sucrose were studied. It remains open for which subgroups and administration rhythms a benefit nevertheless exists.

Study	Design · participants	Preparation · dose · duration · comparison	Result
28 Hansen et al. 2023	systematic review · 2,822 participants	Oral iron supplements; vs. No iron supplements	Low birthweight newborns: improved (RR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.13-0.68); Small for gestational age newborns: improved (RR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17-0.86)
43 Tian et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 685 participants	Oral iron supplementation; Daily until 6 or 12 months; vs. No iron supplementation	Weight gain: worsened (MD = -0.04, 95%CI -0.07 to -0.01, p = 0.004); Head circumference gain: worsened (MD = -0.14, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.09, p < 0.001)
48 Shi et al. 2015	meta-analysis · 576 participants	Intravenous iron sucrose vs. oral iron; vs. intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron	Foetal birth weight: no difference
61 Apte et al. 2025	systematic review	Probiotics and/or prebiotics, with or without oral iron; vs. Placebo or iron	Hemoglobin, ferritin and fractional iron absorption in children: no difference (did not result in any significant change)
64 Cantor et al. 2024	systematic review	Oral iron supplements; vs. Placebo or no iron supplementation	Preterm birth: no difference; Infant low birth weight: no difference; Infants small for gestational age: no difference
69 Barffour et al. 2019	randomised controlled · 3,407 participants	Daily zinc tablet, micronutrient powder with zinc and iron, therapeutic zinc, placebo; Powder: 10 mg zinc, 6 mg iron daily; about 9 months; vs. preventive zinc, therapeutic zinc, placebo	Stunting: no difference (P = .37)
70 Rattigan et al. 2025	randomised controlled · 3,332 participants	MMN, MQ-LNS or IFA (iron supplements); MMN 30 mg iron; MQ-LNS 30 mg iron; IFA 60 mg iron; Pregnancy, second and third trimesters; vs. MMN or MQ-LNS vs. IFA	birth weight: no difference (mean difference MMN vs IFA=39 g, 95% CI -55, 134; mean difference MQ-LNS vs IFA=50 g, 95% CI -55, 156)
73 Islam et al. 2022	randomised controlled · 2,886 participants	Micronutrient powder with zinc and iron or zinc tablets; Iron 10 mg or 6 mg daily or every other day; 24 weeks; vs. Placebo powder daily	Change in length-for-age z-score: improved (P < 0.05)

Further studies in this area: 75 86 90 96 103 107 108 109 140 143 157 162 170 236 278

Iron, Sleep and Restless Legs: Human Studies

In adults with restless legs syndrome, iron, taken orally or as an infusion, improved the IRLS score more than placebo in a meta-analysis and a systematic review 50 53. RLS quality of life improved compared with placebo 50 53; for self-rated sleep quality, one meta-analysis found an advantage 50, one review found no difference 53. In blood donors with iron deficiency, sleep quality, fatigue and leg restlessness improved after ferric carboxymaltose as after oral ferrous fumarate; there was no group without iron 145. In children with autism spectrum disorder and sleep disorders, iron preparations showed hardly any effect on sleep in a network meta-analysis 30. In restless legs syndrome with iron deficiency anaemia, oral ferrous sulfate and a ferumoxytol infusion improved the symptoms equally markedly in a double-blind study 248. It remains open which iron compound, which daily amount and which administration rhythm are most favourable for sleep disorders and restless legs.

Study	Design · participants	Preparation · dose · duration · comparison	Result
30 Sirao et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 2,700 participants	Iron supplements as adjunctive therapy; vs. Melatonin, parent education, behavioral interventions, physical activity	Sleep disturbances: no difference (had little impact)
50 Mahmoud et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 511 participants	various iron supplements, including ferric carboxymaltose; vs. placebo	IRLS score: improved (MD = -5.28; 95% CI -7.66, -2.90; P < 0.0001); patients with improved IRLS score: improved (RR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.49, 2.84; P < 0.0001); RLS-QOL: improved (MD = 7.42; 95% CI 1.32, 13.51; P = 0.02)
51 González-Parejo et al. 2024	systematic review · 482 participants	Dietary supplements, including oral iron; vs. various supplements or control	RLS symptoms and sleep quality: improved (promising results)
53 Trotti et al. 2019	systematic review · 428 participants	Oral or parenteral iron, various formulations; Follow-up 2 to 16 weeks; vs. Placebo, pramipexole, or no treatment	Restlessness or uncomfortable leg sensations (IRLS): improved (MD -3.78, 95% CI -6.25 to -1.31); Restlessness (different scale): improved (SMD -0.74, 95% CI -1.26 to -0.23); RLS severity versus pramipexole: no difference (MD -0.40, 95% CI -5.93 to 5.13)
145 Macher et al. 2020	randomised controlled · 176 participants	1 g ferric carboxymaltose i.v. or 10 g oral iron fumarate (100 capsules); 1 g i.v. or 10 g oral iron fumarate as 100 capsules; Follow-up after 8-12 weeks; vs. intravenous versus oral iron	Restless legs syndrome severity: improved (p < 0.001); Sleep quality: improved (p < 0.001)
248 Short et al. 2024	randomised controlled	oral ferrous sulfate versus intravenous ferumoxytol; 6 weeks; vs. oral versus intravenous iron (double-blind, double-dummy)	improvement in RLS symptoms (IRLS severity): improved (marked improvement in RLS symptoms); difference between oral and intravenous iron: no difference (no statistically significant difference between treatment groups)

Iron, Concentration and Cognitive Development: Human Studies

In children with iron deficiency without anaemia, liposomal iron improved developmental scores more than placebo 109. In preterm infants who all received iron, care by a pharmacist, better adherence and higher developmental scores went hand in hand 185. In fully breastfed infants, iron did not change the Mental Development Index at twelve months 43. In a follow-up of pregnant women with iron deficiency anaemia, better iron values went hand in hand with better mood and mental health; the iron polymaltose infusion raised iron values more than oral iron 157. Weekly iron with folic acid lowered the score for frequent mental complaints in adolescent girls more than no supplementation 114.

Study	Design · participants	Preparation · dose · duration · comparison	Result
4 Sajedi et al. 2020	systematic review · 11,559 participants	Zinc alone or zinc with iron; up to 9 years follow-up; vs. Placebo or control	mental development (Bayley Scales): no difference; motor development (Bayley Scales): no difference
43 Tian et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 685 participants	Oral iron supplementation; Daily until 6 or 12 months; vs. No iron supplementation	Mental development index at 12 months: no difference
71 Larson et al. 2023	randomised controlled · 3,300 participants	Daily iron syrup (12.5 mg iron) or multiple micronutrient powders with 12.5 mg iron; 12.5 mg iron daily; 3 months intervention, follow-up at 12 months; vs. Placebo (double-blind, double-dummy, 3 arms)	Mismatch response amplitude (ERP) at month 3: no difference (MD = 0.07μV [95% CI: -1.22, 1.37]); Mismatch response amplitude (MNP vs placebo) at month 3: no difference (MD = 0.58μV [95% CI: -0.74, 1.90]); Secondary ERP outcomes at months 3 and 12: no difference
77 Nguyen et al. 2026	randomised controlled · 1,599 participants	Weekly iron and folic acid (IFA) or multiple micronutrients (MM) vs. folic acid alone; Weekly before conception, daily IFA during pregnancy; vs. Folic acid alone	Perceptual reasoning: improved (MM: 1.68 (0.01, 3.35); IFA: 2.04 (0.33, 3.74)); Reading scores: improved (0.78 (0.11, 1.44)); Full-scale IQ: no difference
99 Gutema et al. 2024	randomised controlled · 504 participants	Intermittent iron supplementation vs. placebo, plus vitamin A; vs. Placebo iron or placebo vitamin A in 2x2 design	Cognitive development (Raven, digit span, Tower of London, visual search): no difference; Performance index of visual search task: worsened (-0.17 SD, 95% confidence interval: -0.32, -0.02); Digit span z-score (vitamin A vs. placebo): improved (0.30 SD (95% confidence interval: 0.14, 0.46))
109 Bahbah et al. 2025	randomised controlled · 433 participants	Liposomal iron versus placebo; four months; vs. placebo in non-anemic iron deficiency; plus IDA group	developmental total score change: improved (+29.57 versus +0.96 (P < 0.001)); final developmental score: improved (181.5, compared to the IDA group, 175.0 (P < 0.001))
114 Kedir et al. 2026	randomised controlled · 306 participants	weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS); endline 6 months after WIFAS completion; vs. control group without WIFAS	common mental disorder score (SRQ-20): improved (β = -1.12; 95% CI: -1.68, -0.55)
124 Ayete et al. 2025	randomised controlled · 231 participants	Prenatal iron-folic acid supplements vs. maternal and child SQ-LNS; Prenatally to 6 months postpartum; child 6–18 months; vs. Iron-folic acid group vs. SQ-LNS group	Total gray matter volume: no difference; Cortical gray matter thickness/volume: no difference; Right caudal anterior cingulate cortex thickness: improved (2.78 (2.73, 2.84) vs. 2.72 (2.67, 2.77); effect size = 0.21)

Further studies in this area: 125 127 134 150 157 177 185 189 213 214 232 269

Iron and Pregnancy: Human Studies

In healthy pregnant women, low-dose ferrous bisglycinate caused fewer gastrointestinal complaints and less often black stool than fumarate or sulfate in a randomised study 104. The highest tested amount of fumarate led more often to constipation and laxative use than lower amounts 104. Compared with placebo or oral iron, there were no differences in bleeding and transfusions 22 64, in maternal disease frequency 64 75 as well as in quality of life, gestational diabetes and caesarean section 64. In one study, multimicronutrient preparations were taken more faithfully than iron with folic acid 78 and in another they slightly increased mean birth weight compared with iron with folic acid 246. The certainty of evidence is overall low; mainly oral iron salts (sulfate, fumarate, gluconate, bisglycinate), iron infusions (ferric carboxymaltose, iron sucrose) and iron-enriched foods were studied, often in mixed preparations with other micronutrients.

Study	Design · participants	Preparation · dose · duration · comparison	Result
9 Tolkien et al. 2015	meta-analysis · 6,831 participants	oral ferrous sulfate; not reported; not reported; vs. placebo or intravenous iron	GI side-effects in pregnant women (OR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.19-9.28, p = 0.02, I2 = 66.1%)
22 Nicholson et al. 2024	systematic review · 3,939 participants	Intravenous iron (sucrose, carboxymaltose, derisomaltose, ferumoxytol) vs oral iron (sulfate, fumarate, gluconate); Follow-up 3–6 weeks after start, around birth and postpartum; vs. Intravenous iron versus oral iron	Postpartum haemorrhage: no difference (RR 1.44, 95% CI 0.50 to 4.20); Need for blood transfusion: no difference (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.60)
59 Guerra et al. 2026	systematic review	Intravenous iron (ferric carboxymaltose, iron sucrose) vs. oral iron preparations (ferrous sulfate); vs. Intravenous iron vs. oral iron or one intravenous formulation vs. another	Major maternal and neonatal outcomes: no difference
64 Cantor et al. 2024	systematic review	Oral iron supplements; vs. Placebo or no iron supplementation	Maternal quality of life: no difference; Gestational diabetes: no difference; Maternal hemorrhage: no difference
70 Rattigan et al. 2025	randomised controlled · 3,332 participants	MMN, MQ-LNS or IFA (iron supplements); MMN 30 mg iron; MQ-LNS 30 mg iron; IFA 60 mg iron; Pregnancy, second and third trimesters; vs. MMN or MQ-LNS vs. IFA	total weight gain in pregnancy: no difference (p values >0.05); rate of weight gain per week during second and third trimesters: no difference (p values >0.05); adequacy of gestational weight gain: no difference (p values >0.05)
75 Neogi et al. 2019	randomised controlled · 2,018 participants	Intravenous iron sucrose vs. oral iron (100 mg elemental iron twice daily); Iron sucrose by formula based on bodyweight and Hb deficit; oral 100 mg twice daily; follow-up to 6 weeks post-randomisation; vs. standard oral iron	Primary maternal composite outcome: no difference (adjusted odds ratio 0·95, 95% CI 0·70-1·29); Serious maternal adverse events (16 (2%) of 958 vs 13 (1%) of 976)
76 Chan et al. 2023	randomised controlled · 1,729 participants	Supplement with myo-inositol, probiotics, micronutrients (incl. iron) vs. standard; up to 12 months; vs. standard supplement (folic acid, iron, calcium, iodine, β-carotene)	time to natural conception: no difference (90.5 days (95% confidence interval: 80.7, 103.5) in the intervention group compared with 92.0 days (76.0, 105.1) in the control group); cumulative pregnancy rate at 12 months: no difference; time to conception in overweight women: improved (12-month HR=1.47 [1.07, 2.02], P=.016; 20% conceived by 84.5 vs. 117.0 days)
78 Sauer et al. 2025	randomised controlled · 1,546 participants	Iron and folic acid (IFA) vs. multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS); IFA 90 days; MMS 180 days; vs. IFA-90 vs. MMS-180 vs. MMS-90 (cluster-randomized)	Adherence rate: improved (3.9% (1.7, 6.2)); ANC visits: no difference (0.0 (-0.1, 0.2)); Acceptability of MMS (6 domains): improved (90%-100% "agreement")

Further studies in this area: 87 104 107 162 236 246 254 268 274 279

Iron: Further Outcomes in Studies

In dialysis patients, high-dose iron as an infusion did not lead to more infections than low-dose iron in a randomised study 74. Before heart surgery, ferric carboxymaltose did not reduce transfusions and infections in people without anaemia; the prematurely terminated study was manufacturer-funded 190.

Study	Design · participants	Preparation · dose · duration · comparison	Result
2 Hou et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 18,376 participants	12 phosphorus-lowering drugs, including iron-containing phosphate binders; vs. Placebo and other phosphorus-lowering drugs	intact parathyroid hormone: improved; risk of hypercalcemia: improved; gastrointestinal discomfort: worsened
5 Awad et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 7,813 participants	intravenous iron; vs. placebo	all-cause death: improved
6 Liu et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 7,786 participants	intravenous iron therapy; vs. control/placebo	All-cause mortality: no difference (OR = 0.93 [0.83, 1.04])
7 Shalabi et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 7,491 participants	Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose; vs. Placebo	Total all-cause hospitalization: no difference (RR 0.93, 95 % CI 0.85-1.01; P = 0.0830)
8 Du et al. 2026	meta-analysis · 7,009 participants	Intravenous iron therapy; vs. Control group	Relevant biomarkers: improved
9 Tolkien et al. 2015	meta-analysis · 6,831 participants	oral ferrous sulfate; not reported; not reported; vs. placebo or intravenous iron	GI side-effects vs. placebo (OR 2.32 [95% CI 1.74-3.08, p<0.0001, I2 = 53.6%]); GI side-effects vs. i.v. iron (OR 3.05 [95% CI 2.07-4.48, p<0.0001, I2 = 41.6%]); GI side-effects in IBD vs. i.v. iron (OR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.34-7.36, p = 0.008, I2 = 0%)
10 Mejía-Zambrano et al. 2024	meta-analysis · 6,717 participants	Iron supplementation (form not specified); vs. Placebo	Adverse events (OR, 0.78; 95%CI, 0.67-0.91)
11 Ahmed et al. 2025	meta-analysis · 6,651 participants	intravenous iron therapy; vs. placebo or standard of care	1-year all-cause mortality: unclear (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.02)

Further studies in this area: 12 13 15 16 17 18 20 25 26 31 32 33 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 48 50 52 53 58 59 60 66 67 68 72 74 75 77 79 81 85 86 88 91 92 95 100 101 103 105 106 108 111 112 113 116 119 121 122 128 130 132 133 136 138 140 141 142 145 146 148 149 150 153 155 157 158 159 160 166 167 169 170 171 172 173 174 176 178 179 180 182 184 185 188 189 190 191 192 194 195 198 201 202 204 207 208 215 216 217 219 221 223 224 225 226 228 237 238 239 241 242 243 245 249 251 252 253 255 259 260 261 262 264 270 273 276

4. How Is Iron Dosed? Preparation, Dose and Duration in Studies

Studied were oral iron salts such as sulfate, fumarate and bisglycinate 104 211, ferric citrate 35, liposomal iron 140, fortified foods as well as infusions such as ferric carboxymaltose and iron sucrose 48 146. The studies compared in part infusion with oral intake 75 81, in part different daily amounts 29 or intake rhythms 73. Often combination preparations with folic acid, zinc or other micronutrients were used, for example in pregnancy 70 246 and in children 73.

Preparation or form	Dose	Duration	Study
multiple micronutrient powder (MNP) with 6 mg iron and 10 mg zinc	daily 6 mg iron, 10 mg zinc, 13 other micronutrients	9 months	67
Daily multiple micronutrient powder with 6 mg iron and 10 mg zinc	6 mg iron daily	about 36 weeks	68
Daily zinc tablet, micronutrient powder with zinc and iron, therapeutic zinc, placebo	Powder: 10 mg zinc, 6 mg iron daily	about 9 months	69
MMN, MQ-LNS or IFA (iron supplements)	MMN 30 mg iron; MQ-LNS 30 mg iron; IFA 60 mg iron	Pregnancy, second and third trimesters	70
Daily iron syrup (12.5 mg iron) or multiple micronutrient powders with 12.5 mg iron	12.5 mg iron daily	3 months intervention, follow-up at 12 months	71
Ferric carboxymaltose vs placebo	—	6 months follow-up	72
Micronutrient powder with zinc and iron or zinc tablets	Iron 10 mg or 6 mg daily or every other day	24 weeks	73
intravenous iron infusion	high-dose versus low-dose regimen	—	74
Intravenous iron sucrose vs. oral iron (100 mg elemental iron twice daily)	Iron sucrose by formula based on bodyweight and Hb deficit; oral 100 mg twice daily	follow-up to 6 weeks post-randomisation	75
Supplement with myo-inositol, probiotics, micronutrients (incl. iron) vs. standard	—	up to 12 months	76
Weekly iron and folic acid (IFA) or multiple micronutrients (MM) vs. folic acid alone	—	Weekly before conception, daily IFA during pregnancy	77
Iron and folic acid (IFA) vs. multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS)	—	IFA 90 days; MMS 180 days	78
Iron isomaltoside 1000 (ferric derisomaltose) vs. iron sucrose	1000 mg single dose vs. 200 mg up to five times	eight weeks follow-up	79
Daily iron supplementation (60 mg)	60 mg iron daily	from first trimester to delivery	80
Single i.v. dose ferric carboxymaltose vs. oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg (65 mg elemental iron)	20 mg/kg i.v. up to max 1000 mg once; oral one tablet twice daily	Oral until 6 weeks postpartum; i.v. single dose	81

5. Is Iron Safe? Side Effects in Studies

Several meta-analyses found no more serious adverse events with iron infusions than with control 12 13 16; in restless legs syndrome, milder adverse events occurred more often with iron than with placebo 50. Hypersensitivity reactions occurred more often with ferric carboxymaltose than with iron sucrose 17; with oral iron, dark stool was common 81. Details are shown in the table.

Study	Reported side effects
2 Hou et al. 2026	Colestilan, tenapanor and PA21 posed higher risk of gastrointestinal discomfort
8 Du et al. 2026	Long-term safety unclear, further trials needed
9 Tolkien et al. 2015	gastrointestinal side-effects significantly increased
10 Mejía-Zambrano et al. 2024	Fewer adverse events with iron (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.67-0.91)
12 Mhanna et al. 2024	adverse events remained stable
13 Wang et al. 2024	no additional risk of treatment-related complications (P = 0.93)
16 Padda et al. 2024	No significant difference in serious adverse events (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.49-1.10; p = 0.13)
17 Tanrıverdi et al. 2025	More hypersensitivity reactions with ferric carboxymaltose; severe adverse events and hypophosphatemia not significantly different
18 Xue et al. 2026	No significant differences in adverse events; hypersensitivity and hypophosphatemia assessed
19 Chen et al. 2025	all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs)
20 Caljé et al. 2024	Total adverse events reduced with IV-iron vs. oral iron (RR 0.63)
21 Elías et al. 2026	No serious events; mainly mild gastrointestinal symptoms

6. What Remains Open: Limits of the Evidence

Whether iron infusions prevent repeat hospital admissions in acute heart failure is open 24.
Which iron compound, daily amount and which intake rhythm are most favourable in sleep disorders and restless legs remains open 50 53 248.
Whether the hepcidin value predicts the response is open: in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases it succeeded 240, in chronic kidney disease it did not 93.
Combination preparations with folic acid, zinc or several micronutrients make it difficult to attribute individual effects 4.

7. Bottom Line: What Is Established About Iron

Iron is a trace element that the body needs for haemoglobin, myoglobin and numerous enzymes and stores as ferritin. The benefit is best documented in iron deficiency and anaemia: iron infusions raised haemoglobin and ferritin more than placebo or oral iron and reduced the need for transfusion around operations 5 18 22 27 32. Oral iron reduced iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy compared with placebo or no administration 28 64 162. In restless legs syndrome, iron improved the symptoms more than placebo 50 53, after childbirth iron infusions alleviated fatigue more than oral iron 20.

In heart failure with iron deficiency, iron infusions reduced hospital admissions due to heart failure and lengthened the walking distance; for cardiovascular death the results were inconsistent 6 7 12 15 25. Iron in pregnancy had predominantly no influence on birth weight 48 64 96. The strength of evidence ranges from high to low depending on the area; form, dose and intake rhythm differed between the studies, and individual studies were manufacturer-funded 190.

Frequently Asked Questions

How well has Iron been studied in humans?

Does Iron help with iron deficiency and anaemia? What the studies show

We evaluated 40 meta-analyses or systematic reviews, 163 controlled studies and 15 further studies; the controlled studies include 49,713 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mostly improved. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: 1 2 3 5

Does Iron help with fatigue and physical performance? What the studies show

We evaluated 12 meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 24 controlled studies; the controlled studies include 5,186 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mostly improved. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: 5 6 10 12

Does Iron help with heart failure? What the studies show

We evaluated 18 meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 15 controlled studies; the controlled studies include 10,421 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mixed. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: 5 6 7 8

Does Iron help with infants and children? What the studies show

We evaluated 4 meta-analyses or systematic reviews, 16 controlled studies and 3 further studies; the controlled studies include 14,516 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mostly no difference. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: 28 43 48 61

Does Iron help with sleep and restless legs? What the studies show

We evaluated 3 meta-analyses or systematic reviews, 2 controlled studies and one further study; the controlled studies include 176 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mostly improved. Strength of evidence under our published rules: high. Sources: 30 50 51 53

Does Iron help with concentration and cognitive development? What the studies show

We evaluated one meta-analysis or systematic review, 17 controlled studies and 2 further studies; the controlled studies include 7,673 participants in total. Result of the controlled studies: mixed. Strength of evidence under our published rules: moderate. Sources: 4 43 71 77

What is iron and what does the body need it for?

Iron is a trace element that is needed above all for the red blood pigment haemoglobin, which transports oxygen. It is also contained in the muscle pigment myoglobin and in many enzymes. Iron is stored as ferritin, whose blood value serves as a measure of the iron reserves.

Which forms of iron were studied in the studies?

Studied were oral iron salts, liposomal iron and infusions such as ferric carboxymaltose and iron sucrose; several studies compared infusion and oral intake directly 22 48 81.

Do human studies show a benefit in anaemia?

How do the studies report side effects?

Several meta-analyses found no more serious adverse events with iron infusions than with control 12 13 16. Details are shown in the table.

Which questions are still open?

On fatigue and performance in healthy people without iron deficiency, the evaluated studies allow no statement; studied were people with heart failure or anaemia 5 20. Whether iron infusions prevent repeat hospital admissions in acute heart failure is open 24. It remains open which iron compound, daily amount and which intake rhythm are most favourable in sleep disorders and restless legs 50 53 248. Whether the hepcidin value predicts the response is open: in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases it succeeded 240, in chronic kidney disease it did not 93.

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The Effect of Quintuply-Fortified Salt on the Gut Microbiome of Nonpregnant Women of Reproductive Age in Punjab, India: A Substudy of a Randomized, Community-Based Trial
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The Interactions between Maternal Iron Supplementation and Iron Metabolism-Related Genetic Polymorphisms on Birth Outcomes: A Prospective Study in Chinese
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Hepcidin Response to Iron Therapy in Patients with Non-Dialysis Dependent CKD: An Analysis of the FIND-CKD Trial
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Weltert LP, De Rosa A, Rondinelli MB, Falco M, Turani F, Pierelli L · 2023
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Bovine Lactoferrin Compared With Ferrous sulfate for Treating Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Bangladeshi Women-A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Effectiveness of intermittent iron and high-dose vitamin A supplementation on cognitive development of school children in southern Ethiopia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
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A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Ferric Carboxy-Maltose With Iron Sucrose Complex for Postpartum Iron-Deficiency Anemia
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Adolescent Acceptability of School and Home Micronutrient Supplementation and Nutrition Curriculum in Mozambique
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[The application of cut-umbilical cord milking in term cesarean deliveries for preventing anemia and iron deficiency of newborns]
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Milman NT, Bergholt T · 2024
105
Is a Lower Dose of More Bioavailable Iron (18-mg Ferrous Bisglycinate) Noninferior to 60-mg Ferrous Sulfate in Increasing Ferritin Concentrations While Reducing Gut Inflammation and Enteropathogen Detection in Cambodian Women? A Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial
Fischer JAJ, Pei LX, Elango R, Hou K, Goldfarb DM, Karakochuk CD · 2023
106
Effects of Quintuply-Fortified Salt on the Micronutrient Status of Children 12 to 59 Months of Age in Punjab, India: Results from a Randomized, Community-Based, Household Trial
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108
Is iron supplementation likely to impair linear growth and gut microbiota composition of Myanmar young children when complementary feeding is not optimized? A randomized controlled trial
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109
Interventional impact of liposomal iron on iron-deficient children developmental outcome: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Bahbah WA, Omar ZA, El-Shafie AM, Mahrous KS, El Zefzaf HMS · 2025
110
Baseline Hemoglobin, Hepcidin, Ferritin, and Total Body Iron Stores are Equally Strong Diagnostic Predictors of a Hemoglobin Response to 12 Weeks of Daily Iron Supplementation in Cambodian Women
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Effects of iron and multimicronutrient supplementation on geophagy: a two-by-two factorial study among Zambian schoolchildren in Lusaka
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112
A Randomized Noninferiority Trial of Intravenous Iron Isomaltoside versus Oral Iron Sulfate in Patients with Nonmyeloid Malignancies and Anemia Receiving Chemotherapy: The PROFOUND Trial
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113
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114
School-Based Weekly Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation and Its Effect on Mental Health Outcomes Among Adolescent Girls in Central Ethiopia: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
Kedir S, Tamiru D, Ademe BW, Abate KH · 2026
115
Efficacy of a Personalized mHealth App in Improving Micronutrient Supplement Use Among Pregnant Women in Karachi, Pakistan: Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial
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Ferumoxytol for iron deficiency anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The FACT randomized controlled trial 
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Testing equivalence of two doses of intravenous iron to treat iron deficiency in pregnancy: A randomised controlled trial
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Intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron ferrous sulfate for antenatal and postpartum iron deficiency anemia: a randomized trial
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The impact of ready-to-use-therapeutic-food (RUTF) on micronutrient levels in undernourished children with cancer: a randomized open-labelled controlled study
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120
Iron prophylaxis in pregnancy: intravenous route versus oral route
Bencaiova G, von Mandach U, Zimmermann R · 2009
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Effect of combined probiotic and iron-folic acid supplementation on iron status and gut inflammation markers: a randomized controlled trial among anaemic children
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A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial of a Single Intravenous Infusion of Ferric Carboxymaltose vs Single Intravenous Iron Polymaltose or Daily Oral Ferrous Sulphate in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnancy
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Impact of Spirulina corn soy blend on Iron deficient children aged 6-23 months in Ndhiwa Sub-County Kenya: a randomized controlled trial
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Randomized prenatal and postnatal nutrient supplementation shows no long-term impact on cortical gray matter in Ghanaian children
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Efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose compared with oral iron for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in women after childbirth in Tanzania: a parallel-group, open-label, randomised controlled phase 3 trial
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The Effect of Preoperative Intravenous Iron Supplementation on Mortality and Blood Transfusion Requirements in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
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A Pilot Randomized Trial of Ferric Citrate Coordination Complex for the Treatment of Advanced CKD
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Ferric carboxymaltose infusion versus oral iron supplementation for preoperative iron deficiency anaemia in patients with colorectal cancer (FIT): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled trial
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Effect of Low-Dose Iron Supplementation on Early Development in Breastfed Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial
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Effectiveness of Health Information Package Program on Knowledge and Compliance among Pregnant Women with Anemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Randomized, Positive-Controlled Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Polysaccharide-Iron Complex Therapy in Patients on Hemodialysis
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Liposomal SunActive versus conventional iron for treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in children aged 2-12 years: a prospective randomized controlled trial
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Prebiotics increase iron absorption and reduce the adverse effects of iron on the gut microbiome and inflammation: a randomized controlled trial using iron stable isotopes in Kenyan infants
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Lactoferrin Plus Iron to Iron Alone for Iron Deficiency Anemia in CKD
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Spirulina as a daily nutritional supplement of young pre-school Cambodian children of deprived settings: a single-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial
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High-dose intravenous versus oral iron in blood donors with iron deficiency: The IronWoMan randomized, controlled clinical trial
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The Effect of Parenteral or Oral Iron Supplementation on Fatigue, Sleep, Quality of Life and Restless Legs Syndrome in Iron-Deficient Blood Donors: A Secondary Analysis of the IronWoMan RCT
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Effect of iron therapy on fatigue symptoms in non-anaemic iron deficient women of reproductive age- A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Efficacy of Reticulocyte Haemoglobin Equivalent-Guided Versus Transferrin Saturation-Guided Iron Supplement Protocol in Haemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
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The Efficacy and Safety of Roxadustat for the Treatment of Posttransplantation Anemia: A Randomized Study
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Randomized double-blind safety comparison of intravenous iron dextran versus iron sucrose in an adult non-hemodialysis outpatient population: A feasibility study
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Ferric citrate for iron deficiency anemia in non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease: a randomized phase III study
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Effect of Educational Handouts With Standard Therapy Versus Standard Therapy Alone on Compliance With Oral Iron Supplementation in Antenatal Women With Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Three-year follow-up of a randomised clinical trial of intravenous versus oral iron for anaemia in pregnancy
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The Effect of Quintuply-Fortified Salt on the Gut Microbiome of Young Children 1-5 y of Age in Punjab, India; A Substudy of a Randomized, Community-Based Trial
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Effect of Intravenous Iron Dextran on Kidney Outcomes in Acute Kidney Injury with Iron Deficiency: A Randomized Trial
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Iron supplementation in pregnant Danish women revisited: Effects on prepartum and postpartum iron deficiency, anemia, serum erythropoietin; including iron status, erythropoietin and anthropometrics in newborns. A randomized, placebo-controlled study
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Randomized clinical trial of preoperative oral versus intravenous iron in anaemic patients with colorectal cancer
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Early Postoperative Intravenous Iron Versus Oral Iron for the Treatment of Anemia Following Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Effect of a complementary feeding intervention based on iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet on the gut microbiota in 12-18-month-old children: a randomized trial
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Liposomal Iron vs. Conventional Iron in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Efficacy of Plant-Based Iron and Vitamin C in Adults With Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Study
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Cognitive Function Among Heart Transplant Recipients Before and After Intravenous Iron Supplement for Iron Deficiency: Results From a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Treatment Trial
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Effects of 12-Week Multivitamin Supplementation on Serum Folate Levels in Pre-Menopausal Females
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Intravenous versus oral iron for treatment of anemia in pregnancy: a randomized trial
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Iron Absorption from an Iron-Fortified Follow-Up Formula with and without the Addition of a Synbiotic or a Human-Identical Milk Oligosaccharide: A Randomized Crossover Stable Isotope Study in Young Thai Children
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Preoperative Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose Improves Recovery from Anemia in Patients Undergoing Revision Joint Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Tailored pharmacist-led intervention to improve adherence to Iron supplementation in premature infants: a randomized controlled trial in China
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Intravenous Ferumoxytol Compared With Oral Ferrous Sulfate for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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A randomized trial of once daily versus twice daily dosing of oral iron in CKD
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Lactoferrin for iron-deficiency anemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a clinical trial
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A randomized trial of blood donor iron repletion on red cell quality for transfusion and donor cognition and well-being
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Ferric carboxymaltose in reducing blood transfusions and infections after cardiac surgery
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A Randomized Crossover Trial of Acceptability of Quadruple-Fortified Salt in Women and their Households in Southern India
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Effect of Lactoferrin in Obese Children and Adolescents with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study
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Intravenous ferrous sucrose versus placebo in addition to oral iron therapy for the treatment of severe postpartum anaemia: a randomised controlled trial
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Comparative Study between Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose versus Iron Sucrose in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Postpartum Patients
Hossain S, Siddiqui H, Munira S · 2026
196
Lactoferrin: A Promising New Player in Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Mahmoud RMA, Mohammed A · 2023
197
Lactoferrin versus iron hydroxide polymaltose complex for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial
Omar OM, Assem H, Ahmed D, Abd Elmaksoud MS · 2021
198
Effect of Ferric Carboxymaltose Supplementation in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Role of Attenuated Oxidative Stress and Improved Endothelial Function
Mollace A, Macrì R, Mollace R, Tavernese A, Gliozzi M, Musolino V et al. · 2022
199
Preemptive intravenous iron therapy versus autologous whole blood therapy for early postoperative hemoglobin level in patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: a prospective randomized noninferiority trial
Chae MS, Lee M, Choi MH, Park JU, Park M, Kim YH et al. · 2021
200
Effects of Education on Treatment Adherence and Fatigue in Individuals with Treatment-Inadherent Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized Trial in Türkiye
Kırlı İ, Polat H · 2026
201
Oral Versus Intravenous Iron Supplementation for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis-Effect on Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 Metabolism
Fukao W, Hasuike Y, Yamakawa T, Toyoda K, Aichi M, Masachika S et al. · 2018
202
Daily oral iron supplementation produced greater improvements in hematological parameters than alternate day doses - A pilot double-blind randomized control trial in iron-deficient young women
John NM, Ashok B, John O, V K, Abraham D, Samuel P et al. · 2026
203
Liposomal iron dramatic effect on chronic kidney disease pediatric anemia: a randomized clinical trial
Hegazy SK, Koura MSE, Elharoun MS · 2026
204
Oral lactoferrin as a treatment of pediatrics' anemia resulted from chronic kidney diseases: a randomized controlled trial
Hegazy SK, Koura MSE, Elharoun MS · 2025
205
An active new formulation of iron carried by aspartyl casein for iron-deficiency anemia: results of the ACCESS trial
Tsilika M, Mitrou J, Antonakos N, Tseti IK, Damoraki G, Leventogiannis K et al. · 2023
206
The Impact of Intravenous Iron Supplementation on Hematinic Parameters and Erythropoietin Requirements in Hemodialysis Patients
Zununi Vahed S, Ahmadian E, Hejazian SM, Esmaeili S, Farnood F · 2021
207
Effect of Ferric Citrate versus Ferrous Sulfate on Iron and Phosphate Parameters in Patients with Iron Deficiency and CKD: A Randomized Trial
Womack R, Berru F, Panwar B, Gutiérrez OM · 2020
208
Management of iron deficiency in women of childbearing age with oral iron intolerance: a prospective, randomised, controlled trial of three doses of an iron-whey-protein formulation : Prospective RandomisEd study of women of Childbearing age with gastroInteStinal Intolerance to Oral iroN (PRECISION)
Ledwidge M, Ryan F, Seoighe A, Santos-Martinez MJ, Ryan C, Gilmer JGF · 2024
209
Exercise training response according to baseline ferrokinetics in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A substudy of the TRAINING-HF trial
Palau P, López L, Domínguez E, de La Espriella R, Campuzano R, Castro A et al. · 2024
210
Intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron administration for the postoperative treatment of post-bariatric abdominoplasty anaemia: an open-label, randomised, superiority trial in Brazil
Montano-Pedroso JC, Bueno Garcia E, Alcântara Rodrigues de Moraes M, Francescato Veiga D, Masako Ferreira L · 2018
211
Oral Ferrous Sulphate Improves Functional Capacity on Heart Failure Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia
Suryani LD, Raharjo SB, Sagita R, Angkasa H, Prasetyadi YL, Suyatna FD et al. · 2022
212
Effects of consuming an iron supplement with a meal containing animal or plant-based meat on indicators of iron status and anemia in women of reproductive age with iron deficiency: a randomized, controlled study
Hennigar SR, Miller KM, Murphy RD, Braymer A, Mayet CL, Greenway FL et al. · 2025
213
Effect of Iron Supplementation in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Iron Deficiency: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Pongpitakdamrong A, Chirdkiatgumchai V, Ruangdaraganon N, Roongpraiwan R, Sirachainan N, Soongprasit M et al. · 2022
214
The Effect of Combined Iron and Methylphenidate Use in Iron Deficient Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Children of Bangladesh
Saha D, Sarkar UK, Parvin J, Mistry B, Khan HA, Begum SA et al. · 2026
215
Effects of lactoferrin-enriched dairy product on iron status in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Goitre I, Ponzo V, Ferrocino I, Franciosa I, Valla A, Lucatello BG et al. · 2026
216
Intravenous iron supplementation after liver surgery: Impact on anemia, iron, and hepcidin levels-a randomized controlled trial
Assouline B, Benoliel A, Zamberg I, Legouis D, Delhumeau C, Favre M et al. · 2021
217
Intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron supplementation for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease--a randomized, controlled, open-label, multicenter study
Schröder O, Mickisch O, Seidler U, de Weerth A, Dignass AU, Herfarth H et al. · 2005
218
Changes in platelet count as a marker of myocardial iron uptake after administration of ferric carboxymaltose in patients with heart failure
Mollar A, García-Conejo C, Revuelta-López E, Cardells I, López R, Del Canto I et al. · 2026
219
An 8-Week Vitamin D3-Fortified Fruit Drink Supplementation Increases Serum Ferritin Concentration: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Malaysian Women With Low Iron Stores
Suhaimi NA, Loh SP, Ab Manan N, Zalbahar N, Mohamad Alwi MN, Ahmad Fuzi SF · 2024
220
Intravenous iron in postpartum anemia
Jain G, Palaria U, Jha SK · 2013
221
Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Oral Ferric Maltol in Children With Iron Deficiency: Phase 1 Study
Allen S, Auth MK, Kim JJ, Vadamalayan B · 2021
222
The ICaRAS randomised controlled trial: Intravenous iron to treat anaemia in people with advanced cancer - feasibility of recruitment, intervention and delivery
Dickson EA, Ng O, Keeler BD, Wilcock A, Brookes MJ, Acheson AG · 2023
223
Oral liposomal iron vs. oral iron polymaltose in children with chronic kidney disease iron deficiency anemia: a cross-over study
Sawires H, Abd Alazem EA, Atia F, Salem A, Samy A, Gamal M · 2026
224
Dose-Dependent Alterations of the Human Gut Microbiome During Oral Iron Supplementation: A Randomized Study in Iron-Deficient Non-Anaemic Women
Schubert MG, Dentand A, Karczewski M, Morsy Y, Beuschlein F, Scharl M et al. · 2026
225
Safety and efficacy of Ninjin'yoeito along with iron supplementation therapy for preoperative anemia, fatigue, and anxiety in patients with gynecological disease: an open-label, single-center, randomized phase-II trial
Yagi T, Sawada K, Miyamoto M, Kinose Y, Nakagawa S, Takiuchi T et al. · 2022
226
Preoperative Single-Dose Intravenous Iron Formulation to Reduce Postsurgical Complications in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial Feasibility Study (PIRCAS Trial Pilot)
Thin TN, Tan BPY, Sim EY, Shum KL, Chan HSP, Abdullah HR · 2021
227
Intravenous iron preparations transiently generate non-transferrin-bound iron from two proposed pathways
Garbowski MW, Bansal S, Porter JB, Mori C, Burckhardt S, Hider RC · 2021
228
Iron Homeostasis at High Altitude in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension
Reiser AE, Thiersch M, Gassmann M, Schneider SR, Mayer L, Saxer S et al. · 2026
229
Absorption of iron from recombinant human lactoferrin in young US women
Lönnerdal B, Bryant A · 2006
230
Medical Adherence and Efficacy of Weekly vs Daily Iron Treatment in Teenage Girls With Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Aggarwal A, Hess J, Yoost J, Preston D, Lamichhane R, Finch P · 2026
231
Glycoprotein Matrix-Bound Iron Improves Absorption Compared to Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate and Ferrous Fumarate: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Secrest AH, Norgan Radler C, Kelly J, Keratsopoulos N, Faterkowski A, Kolodziejczyk K et al. · 2025
232
Cardiorespiratory and oxygenation responses in iron-deficient anemic women during whole-body exercise under moderate hypoxia
Miliotis PG, Ntalapera SD, Lakeas P, Loukas I, Toubekis AG, Geladas ND et al. · 2026
233
Effect of food on iron absorption in patients with iron deficiency anemia treated with ferric citrate hydrate
Komatsu N, Ito K, Arita K, Mitobe Y, Mitsui H · 2026
234
Intravenous versus oral iron supplementation for preoperative stimulation of hemoglobin synthesis using recombinant human erythropoietin
Rohling RG, Zimmermann AP, Breymann C · 2000
235
Effect of calcium supplementation in pregnancy on maternal anemia and iron status: secondary analyses of two randomized trials in India and Tanzania
Ali NB, Sudfeld CR, Muhihi A, Thomas T, Perumal N, Sando MM et al. · 2026
236
Efficacy of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements during Pregnancy on Zinc Status among Pregnant Women in Ghana: A Randomized Trial
Wessells KR, Adu-Afarwuah S, Arnold CD, Okronipa H, Lartey A, Dewey KG et al. · 2026
237
Safety and Efficacy of Oral Ferric Maltol and Ferrous Sulfate for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants, Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter Randomized Trial
Gass D, Freiberg A, Auth MKH, Russell RK · 2026
238
Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Daily versus Alternate-day Oral Iron Supplementation among Women with Anemia in Coastal Karnataka
Sashindran V, Rao AK, Anilkumar A, Vardhan S, Shetty S, Bhandary P et al. · 2026
239
Effects of Tabata training combined with iron supplementation on proprioceptive acuity in young women with iron deficiency anemia: a randomized controlled trial
Harrabi MA, Ayed R, Turki M, Boughattas W, Fendri T, Chaari F et al. · 2026
240
Clinical Trial: Predicting Response to Iron Therapy in Patients With Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Hepcidin and Functional Iron Indices: A Multicentre Randomised Trial
Koppelman LJM, Loveikyte R, Goetgebuer RL, van der Marel S, de Vries AC, Dijkstra G et al. · 2026
241
Energy restriction and iron supplementation improve iron status in women with obesity regardless of red meat consumption: a randomized controlled trial
Ortiz-Gutiérrez S, Serralde-Zúñiga AE, González-Salazar LE, Estrada-Trujillo MG, Flores-Lopéz A, Hernández-Gómez KG et al. · 2026
242
The Efficacy and Safety of Daily Low-Dose Iron Supplementation in Adults with Dietary Iron Deficiency: a Double-Blind, Randomized, Single-Center Study
Kravos A, Dolenc B, Fartek N, Locatelli I, Lipovec NČ, Meljo NR et al. · 2026
243
Intravenous Ferric Derisomaltose Versus Iron Sucrose for Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy: A Randomized, Comparative Trial
Smith S, Kader S, Lett R · 2026
244
Response of reticulocyte and red blood cell indices to single-dose intravenous iron in pregnant women with moderate iron deficiency anemia: secondary analysis of the RAPIDIRON trial
Somannavar MS, Mehta S, Sharma DK, Mehta S, S Y, Charantimath U et al. · 2026
245
A Pilot Study of Salmon Protein Hydrolysate (ProGo<sup>®</sup>) Supplementation to Assess Its Impact on Hematologic, Integumentary and Metabolic Health
Currie C, Myklebust TÅ, Bjerknes C, Framroze B · 2026
246
Effect on birthweight of an antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation programme compared with iron-folic acid supplementation: a cluster-randomised, controlled trial in 85 698 Ethiopian women
Tessema M, Defar A, Tessema B, Daba AK, Tollera G, Tesfa A et al. · 2026
247
Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating the Impact of Intravenous Iron (ferric carboxymaltose) Supplementation Among Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients with Anemia
Patel V, Rajanbabu A, Pavithran K, Anandita A · 2025
248
A randomized double-blind pilot study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of intravenous iron versus oral iron for the treatment of restless legs syndrome in patients with iron deficiency anemia
Short V, Allen R, Earley CJ, Bahrain H, Rineer S, Kashi K et al. · 2024
249
Effect of ferric citrate hydrate on fibroblast growth factor 23 and platelets in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease and non-chronic kidney disease patients with iron deficiency anemia
Ito K, Akizawa T, Arita K, Mitobe Y, Komatsu N · 2024
250
Roxadustat and Oral Iron Absorption in Chinese Patients with Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 4 Study (ALTAI)
Wu H, Cheng H, Wang C, Yao L, Qin S, Zuo L et al. · 2024
251
Safe and effective delivery of supplemental iron to healthy adults: a two-phase, randomized, double-blind trial - the safe iron study
Lewis ED, Ortega EF, Dao MC, Barger K, Mason JB, Leong JM et al. · 2023
252
Influence of iron supplementation on fatigue, mood states and sweating profiles of healthy non-anemic athletes during a training exercise: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study
Kapoor MP, Sugita M, Kawaguchi M, Timm D, Kawamura A, Abe A et al. · 2023
253
Impact on oxidative stress of oral, high-dose, iron supplementation for management of iron deficiency after bariatric surgery, a preliminary study
Babayev M, Klaunig J, Silveyra P, Henschel B, Gletsu-Miller N · 2023
254
A Study to Improve the Vitamin A and Iodine Status of Pregnant Women through a Multiple Micronutrient Fortified Salt
Vinod Kumar M, Sankarapandian M, Erhardt J · 2022
255
Intravenous iron supplement for iron deficiency in patients with severe aortic stenosis scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: results of the IIISAS randomised trial
Kvaslerud AB, Bardan S, Andresen K, Kløve SF, Fagerland MW, Edvardsen T et al. · 2022
256
Effect of Perioperative Intravenous Iron Supplementation for Complex Cardiac Surgery on Transfusion Requirements: A Randomized, Double-blinded Placebo-controlled Trial
Song JW, Soh S, Shim JK, Lee S, Lee SH, Kim HB et al. · 2022
257
Effect of Mobile Phone Call Reminders With Standard Therapy Versus Standard Therapy Alone on Compliance With Iron Supplementation in Antenatal Women With Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Sontakke P, Dwidmuthe KS, Kawathalkar A, Bhalerao A · 2022
258
Supplementation with Iron in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Two Randomized Crossover Trials
Howard LSGE, He J, Watson GMJ, Huang L, Wharton J, Luo Q et al. · 2021
259
The effects of intravenous iron supplementation on fatigue and general health in non-anemic blood donors with iron deficiency: a randomized placebo-controlled superiority trial
Keller P, von Känel R, Hincapié CA, da Costa BR, Jüni P, Erlanger TE et al. · 2020
260
Randomized trial of intravenous iron-induced hypophosphatemia
Wolf M, Chertow GM, Macdougall IC, Kaper R, Krop J, Strauss W · 2018
261
Comparative safety of intravenous ferumoxytol versus ferric carboxymaltose in iron deficiency anemia: A randomized trial
Adkinson NF, Strauss WE, Macdougall IC, Bernard KE, Auerbach M, Kaper RF et al. · 2018
262
Efficacy and safety of ferric carboxymaltose versus ferrous sulfate for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: subgroup analysis of Korean women
Shim JY, Kim MY, Kim YJ, Lee Y, Lee JJ, Jun JK et al. · 2018
263
Effect of treatment with single total-dose intravenous iron versus daily oral iron(III)-hydroxide polymaltose on moderate puerperal iron-deficiency anemia
Iyoke CA, Emegoakor FC, Ezugwu EC, Lawani LO, Ajah LO, Madu JA et al. · 2017
264
A 12-week randomised study comparing intravenous iron sucrose versus oral ferrous sulphate for treatment of postpartum anemia
Westad S, Backe B, Salvesen KA, Nakling J, Økland I, Borthen I et al. · 2008
265
Hemoglobin Optimization and Transfusion Reduction Through Anemia and Iron Deficiency Correction: A Post Hoc Prospective Study in Cardiac Surgery
Charbonneau H, Pasquié M, Savy N, Mayeur N · 2026
266
Normal range and predictors of serum erythroferrone in infants
Bäckström F, Chmielewska A, Domellöf M, Berglund SK · 2023
267
Evaluation of postpartum anaemia screening to improve anaemia diagnosis and patient care: A prospective non-randomized before-and-after anaemia screening protocol implementation study
Yefet E, Suleiman A, Garmi G, Hatokay A, Nachum Z · 2019
268
Anemia and adverse outcomes in pregnancy: subgroup analysis of the CLIP cluster-randomized trial in India
Bone JN, Bellad M, Goudar S, Mallapur A, Charantimath U, Ramadurg U et al. · 2022
269
Prenatal and preschool micronutrient supplementation and behavioral outcomes in school-aged children in Nepal-a cohort study
Christian P, Zavala E, Hurley KM, Khatry SK, LeClerq SC, Fune Wu LS et al. · 2025
270
Mucosal lactoferrin response to genital tract infections is associated with iron and nutritional biomarkers in young Burkinabé women
Roberts SA, Brabin L, Diallo S, Gies S, Nelson A, Stewart C et al. · 2019
271
Associations between dietary patterns and adequate intake of climate-sensitive micronutrients among young children living in Siaya County, Kenya: Findings from the ALIMUS study baseline data
Kihagi GW, Mank I, Kurniawan AL, Osei TB, Stieglbauer G, Mbata M et al. · 2026
272
Baseline diet quality indicators and 6-month changes in iron and vitamin A biomarkers among rural Ghanaian adolescent schoolgirls: A secondary analysis of the Ten2Twenty-Ghana trial
Offoh PI, Azupogo F, Brouwer ID, Cazarin CBB · 2026
273
Association of oxidative stress, iron, and centralized fat mass in healthy postmenopausal women
Crist BL, Alekel DL, Ritland LM, Hanson LN, Genschel U, Reddy MB · 2009
274
Maternal Adiposity and DNA Methylation of TfR2 and HJV Genes in Early Pregnancy: Mediating Role of Inflammation and Consequences for Iron Status
Demirdjian SP, Irwin RE, Thompson PD, Mulhern MS, Kerr MA, Ledwidge M et al. · 2026
275
Iron-Deficiency Prevalence and Supplementation Practices Among Pregnant Women: A Secondary Data Analysis From a Clinical Trial in Vancouver, Canada
Cochrane KM, Hutcheon JA, Karakochuk CD · 2022
276
Usefulness of the Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Diagnostic Tools SAMANTA Questionnaire and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding-Visual Analog Scale Tool for Iron Deficiency Screening: An Exploratory Analysis from the COLIBRI Study
Perelló-Capó J, Estadella-Tarriel J, Gich-Saladich I, Llurba-Olivé E, Calaf-Alsina J · 2025
277
Biomarkers of erythropoiesis response to intravenous iron in a crossover pilot study in unexplained anemia of the elderly
Yoo JJ, Cohen HJ, Artz AS, Price E, Fill JA, Prchal J et al. · 2023
278
Iron Therapy in Pediatric Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Efficacy, Safety, and Formulation-Specific Trade-Offs-A Narrative Review
Leone G, Arrabito M, Russo G, La Spina M · 2026
279
Patient blood management in obstetrics and gynecology: current evidence and future directions
Pascale MR, Graf M, Lepore A, Arcaro A, Caruso M · 2026
280
Postoperative anaemia: the unseen challenge in cardiac surgery
Warner MA, Raphael J · 2026

Every statement on this page carries its evidence tier — proven, plausible or hypothesis — and leads to the original work. The decision in the individual case rests with the practitioner; we provide the connections.