Let’s talk iron (and answer your most-asked questions)
Question #1:
When will I feel like a functioning human again once I start taking Iconic Iron™ ?
The answer nobody loves hearing: it depends.
The answer everybody deserves: it depends because your body is unique.
Soooooooo many of our customers write to us to say they feel the difference after only a few days of taking it, others a few weeks – it will take a little longer for major improvements in blood test results to show. Retesting is wise after two to three months (not days or weeks). How quickly you will respond is impacted by factors like your starting iron levels, how depleted your stores are, overall dietary patterns, and aspects of your general health. One customer recently told us their ferritin increased from 18 to 58 in 3 months. Another told us their ferritin went from 22 to 70 in six months. Iron restoration is often more marathon than sprint.
The important thing? Consistency. Iron stores are built over time, not overnight.
Question #2:
How much should I take?
Think of it as matching your intake to your needs. Iron needs vary depending on your age and life stage. Menstruating and pregnant women need the most. Children need more than an adult male!
As a general guide, 1 capsule of Iconic Iron™ is often enough for maintenance and all some children need to meet their requirements. If you’re actively restoring your (adult) iron status, 2 capsules per day are usually the go.
One thing worth noting: because ferritin-iron is highly bioavailable due to its unique absorption mechanism (different from haem and non-haem iron), we don't need to throw large amounts of iron at your digestive system and hope for the best. At 11mg of iron per capsule, adults and children can comfortably tailor their intake to suit their needs.
Question #3:
Can I take Iconic Iron™ while pregnant?
Growing a tiny human is hard work. Your body needs more iron during pregnancy to support both you and your baby. Many pregnant women choose Iconic Iron™, and we've received wonderful feedback from customers who have used it throughout pregnancy as part of their healthcare practitioner's recommendations.
Here’s one example:
Pregnancy Must Have
After experiencing iron deficiency with my first pregnancy, I began taking the standard Ferrograd and Maltofer tablets as soon as I found out I was pregnant with my second in an effort to keep my iron up.
In the first 6 months, with Ferrograd/Maltofer supplementation, my ferritin fell from 110 to low 30s - combined with the constipation and frustration, I decided to switch to Iconic Iron after reading Dr Libby’s book.
My iron stopped free falling and has even started to increase now in my third trimester (back up to low 40s so far), which I didn’t think I could achieve with oral supplementation at this point. It’s going to take time, but it’s great to take something that works with no side effects.
Georgia S
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That said, every pregnancy is different. We always recommend speaking with your healthcare practitioner before starting any supplement, including Iconic Iron™, to ensure it's right for your individual needs.
Question #4:
Can I give Iconic Iron™ to my kids?
Yes. Children need iron too, especially during periods of rapid growth. And like adults, it is the most common nutrient deficiency among children of all ages, usually due to inadequate intake.
Just like adults, a child’s needs vary depending on age, diet, growth and individual circumstances. If you're wondering whether supplementation is appropriate for your child, we recommend chatting with your healthcare practitioner. Or send us an email. We genuinely love talking about this stuff. You are also welcome to read our checklist of common iron deficiency symptoms in children here.
Question #5:
Why is Iconic Iron™ different?
This is one of your favourite questions. Ours too, if we're being honest.
The vast majority of iron supplements use synthetic iron bound to salts which leads to gut cells being exposed to free iron. This can drive inflammation and some of the gut-related side effects common when suing these conventional iron supplements. Iconic Iron™ contains food-sourced ferritin-iron, a naturally occurring form of iron found in plants, and different to all other forms of iron, as well as food-sourced nutrient cofactors that help iron to be utilised once it’s inside you. It's the result of years of research by Dr Libby, who wanted to create an iron supplement for people who'd given up on iron because it left them feeling uncomfortable, constipated or simply wasn't delivering the results they hoped for. The structure of ferritin-iron means your gut cells aren't exposed to big doses of free iron. This, plus its unique absorption mechanism, doesn’t drive inflammation or the gut symptoms, and it overcomes the usual iron absorption hurdles. There’s no process in the body that iron deficiency doesn’t touch so correcting it as soon as possible is crucial for adults and children.
One last thing...
If you've ever found yourself staring at your iron test results wondering what they actually mean, you're not alone.
Dr Libby is here to help make iron health a little less confusing and a lot more approachable.
