Iron deficiency & supplementation in pregnancy
About iron deficiency
Iron deficiency means the body is not getting enough iron. Iron is an essential mineral that helps blood carry oxygen through the body.
The protein in the blood that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body is called hemoglobin. Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin. When your blood hemoglobin levels are low, this is called anemia.
Learn more about iron deficiency by clicking on the drop-downs below.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency makes it harder to exercise and concentrate, and causes tiredness.
How common is iron deficiency in pregnancy?
- One in four pregnant women have iron deficiency.
- Some women are at higher risk of developing iron deficiency, including women:
- with heavy periods
- who eat vegetarian or vegan diets
- who donate blood regularly
- who have been pregnant many times
- who have a gluten sensitivity
If my hemoglobin (blood) level is okay, does that mean my iron level is okay?
No. Hemoglobin level is a poor measure of iron levels and will miss 90 per cent of women with iron deficiency.
Will iron deficiency impact me and/or my baby’s health?
For mothers, iron deficiency can cause low energy levels and can lead to the need for blood transfusions. In babies, it may cause low birth weight and affect brain or nerve function.
How much iron do I need to eat from food during pregnancy?
What foods have more iron in them?
There are two types of iron found in food. Animal foods have heme iron which is more easily absorbed by your body; 15-35 per cent of the iron in these foods is absorbed.
Plant foods have non-heme iron. Only 2-4 per cent of this iron is absorbed. You can improve the absorption of non-heme iron by eating these foods with sources of vitamin C (an orange, kiwi, strawberries, red pepper, lemon juice, or vitamin C tablet).
Foods with heme iron
| Food | mg of iron per 75 gram serving |
|---|---|
| Liver (pregnant women should avoid liver as it is too high in vitamin A) | 4.5 - 13 |
| Mussles | 5 |
| Oysters | 7 - 9 |
| Beef and lamb | 1 - 3 |
| Shrimp and sardines | 2 |
| Chicken | 0.5 - 1 |
| Pork | 0.8 |
| Salmon | 0.3 |
Foods with non-heme iron
| Food | mg of iron per serving |
|---|---|
| Pumpkin seeds, kernels (60 mL) | 8.5 |
| Tofu, medium or firm (150 g) | 2 - 7 |
| Legumes (175 mL) | 2 - 6.5 |
| Hot cereal with iron enrichment (175 mL) | 3 - 6 |
| Cold cereal with iron enrichment (30 g) | 4 |
| Vegetables (pumpkin, peas, spinach, potatoes) | 1 - 2 |
| Nuts (60 mL) | 0.5 - 2 |
| Bread with iron enrichment (1 slice) | 1 |
| Egg (one egg) | 0.9 |
What is elemental iron?
The iron in the food or supplement that is available for absorption is called elemental iron. Only a small amount of elemental iron is actually absorbed by the body. The example below is for ferrous gluconate.
About iron supplements
There are numerous reasons why it is important for women to take iron supplements during pregnancy. Click on the drop-downs below to learn more.
What are the common types of iron supplements?
| Tablet name | Iron content (mg) | Elemental iron (mg)* |
|---|---|---|
| Heme iron polypeptide (Proferrin) | 11 | 11** |
| Ferrous gluconate | 300 | 35 |
| Ferrous sulfate | 300 | 60 |
| Ferrous fumarate | 300 | 100 |
| Polysaccharide iron complex (FeraMax) | 150 | 150 |
*1.5 per cent of elemental iron is absorbed in the first trimester and increases to 15 per cent in the third trimester
** 20 mg of Proferrin is similar to 60 mg of ferrous sulfate in terms of absorption
Why is it important for me to take iron supplements?
- Iron supplements lower the chance of needing a blood transfusion at delivery.
- Iron supplements lower the chance of having a very small baby.
- Iron supplements improve the baby’s iron level.
- Babies of mothers with untreated iron deficiency anemia are more likely to develop anemia in the first year of life.
- Infants and children with iron deficiency have poorer neurologic function.
How much iron do I need to get from iron supplements?
Low-dose iron supplements, like prenatal multivitamins, are not enough for most women. Three of four women on prenatal multivitamins will have iron deficiency when they deliver their baby.
At your first prenatal visit your blood level (hemoglobin) and iron level (ferritin) will be checked. Based on these results, the table below will be used to decide on how much iron you need.
Take iron on an empty stomach at bedtime with a source of vitamin C to improve absorption. If you are found to have iron deficiency with anemia, your doctor or midwife will have more treatment recommendations.
| Iron level (ferritin) at first visit (μg/L) | Treatment | Routine reassessment requirements |
|---|---|---|
| < 15 | 300 mg ferrous sulfate tablet, once daily (60 mg of elemental iron) | Re-test iron level at 24 - 28 weeks |
| 15 - 400 | 300 mg ferrous gluconate tablet, once daily (35 mg of elemental iron) | No further ferritin tests in pregnancy |
| Above the normal range | Prenatal multivitamins only; Additional iron supplementation not recommended | Discuss reason for high ferritin with your health care provider |
What are the side effects of iron supplements?
Iron supplements may cause darker bowel movements. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. Iron supplements can cause mild nausea, constipation or diarrhea. These symptoms usually go away if you stay on iron for a few weeks.
What should I do if I cannot take the iron supplements due to side effects?
Speak to your healthcare provider. Here are options that may be tried: (1) Changing to a different iron tablet, (2) Taking the iron tablets with food (although absorption drops by half ), (3) Using intravenous iron (for severe iron deficiency or severe anemia).
Is it possible to avoid taking iron supplements during my pregnancy?
Nine of 10 women who do not take iron supplements will use up all of their iron stores during pregnancy and 1 in 5 will develop iron deficiency anemia. So, almost all pregnant women need iron supplements for the rest of their pregnancy starting at 12-16 weeks.
Should I take iron supplements after my baby is born?
- Only take iron supplements if you had a large amount of blood loss at delivery, eat a diet that is low in iron-rich foods, or if you had iron deficiency at any point during pregnancy (ferritin below 30).
- You should take your prenatal vitamin after your baby is born for at least 6 months, and longer if you continue to breastfeed.
