Iron bisglycinate 14 mg + vitamin C
Iron deficiency is the leading correctable cause of fatigue. But it is measured, not guessed.
The short version
What it does It corrects a deficiency that causes fatigue, breathlessness and hair loss — even without anaemia.
What it does not do Never to be taken without a blood test. Excess iron is toxic to the liver and the heart, and it is a common cause of serious poisoning in children.
What the studies say
Vaucher’s trial studied women who were not anaemic but had low ferritin, with unexplained fatigue: iron supplementation reduced fatigue compared with placebo. It is an important result because it shows you can be short of iron without being anaemic.
The benefit only exists in people who are genuinely deficient. In everyone else, iron does nothing good — and excess iron is toxic to the liver and the heart.
This is the product on this site where testing first is not a recommendation but a condition.
How to take it
Relevant with breathlessness on exertion, heavy legs, hair loss, heavy periods — after a ferritin test. Never without one.
On an empty stomach if you tolerate it, otherwise with a light meal. With a source of vitamin C, which markedly improves absorption of non-haem iron. Away from tea, coffee and dairy, which reduce it. Taking it every other day is often better absorbed than daily.
Re-check ferritin after three months. Black stools are normal; digestive pain is not — change form. Stop as soon as the target is reached.
What is inside
The form changes everything for tolerance. Iron bisglycinate is better tolerated than classic ferrous sulphate, at comparable absorption. Sulphate remains the reference in studies, and the cheapest.
Read the dose as ELEMENTAL iron. Paired with vitamin C in the same dose. Bisglycinate is worth its premium if sulphate makes you ill — which is common.
Contraindicated in haemochromatosis. Keep out of reach of children: iron overdose is a major cause of serious paediatric poisoning. Never “just in case”.
Cautions
- Haemochromatosis
- Supplementing without a blood test
- Store out of reach of children
The three options
Iron bisglycinate + vitamin C
Patented Ferrochel® chelate, 14 mg
A process identifiable with the label owner, combined with ascorbic acid in the same capsule. Made in France.
For whom — Anyone who tolerated sulphate badly — which is common.
Acerola vitamin C, plant capsule
The listing states 80 mg of bisglycinate, not the iron dose
The figure in the title is the weight of the salt, not of the iron: a bisglycinate holds about a fifth of its weight in iron, and the listing never does the conversion. It is the most common trap in this aisle. The rest of the list is short and readable: acerola standardised to 50 % vitamin C, plant HPMC capsule, iron bisglycinate, cellulose. 180 capsules, 627 reviews. The vitamin C comes from a fruit, not from a synthetic addition — and it multiplies absorption of plant-derived iron.
For whom — Anyone who wants naturally sourced vitamin C and accepts working out the iron dose themselves.
Bisglycinate 28 mg, large format
28 mg, 400 vegan tablets
A four-line list, no flavouring, 12,478 reviews. No vitamin C here: take it with a glass of orange juice, the effect is the same and it costs nothing.
For whom — Tight budget, good digestive tolerance.
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