How to Determine the Amount of Iron in an Iron Supplement

Although iron is ingested through various foods, including red meat, fish and other animal products, not everyone gets enough iron in their diet, which may lead to potential health problems. To combat anemia and other effects of iron deficiency, doctors often recommend patients use an iron supplement. Since iron supplements come in all shapes and sizes, it is important to know how to determine the quantity of iron in an iron supplement.

Instructions

Know your dose

• 1

  Go to your local drugstore and you will find a wide array of iron supplements. Verify your doctor's recommended dosage, then choose which form suits you best; supplements come in tablets, chewables, liquid, capsules, solutions, extended release tablets, suspensions, liquid capsules, elixir and syrup form.

• 2

  Check the package on the box or bottle. The Centers for Disease Control recommend taking 50 mg to 60 mg of oral elemental iron (one 300 mg tablet of ferrous sulfate contains that dose) twice a day to treat your iron deficiency.

• 3

  Take two of the 50/60 mg elemental iron tablets at least eight hours apart. Do not take them at the same time, as the amount of iron absorbed decreases as the dosage increases.