Ferrous Sulfate: Benefits, Uses and Precautions while Consuming

One of the benefits of Ferrous Sulfate is that it increases the level of iron in the body. Iron is an important mineral required for proper functioning of the body.. It helps produce hemoglobin and myoglobin, which supply and store oxygen in the body. 

Low iron levels can lead to various health complications, including anemia, fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. [1] To counter these problems, healthcare professionals often prescribe ferrous sulfate supplements to maintain healthy iron levels in the body.

What is Ferrous Sulfate?

Ferrous sulfate is a chemical compound commonly used in treating iron deficiency in the body. It is available in crystal form, which can be brown, yellow, or bluish-green. Healthcare professionals recommend taking iron supplements that are in the form of ferrous or ferric, as it is easier for the body to adapt. 

A single tablet of ferrous sulfate provides 65 mg of iron. Pregnant women and individuals suffering from anemia often need to take iron supplements to stay healthy.

Benefits of Ferrous Sulfate

Ferrous sulfate is primarily taken to maintain a normal amount of iron in the body, which saves you from experiencing extreme iron deficiency and the subsequent side effects.

Increase Iron Level Quickly

Iron is a naturally occurring mineral on Earth that people should obtain from their diet to maintain their health. The human body utilizes iron to produce healthy red blood cells that supply oxygen to the entire body. When people can’t get enough iron from their food, doctors suggest they take ferrous sulfate supplements.

Manage Iron Deficiency Symptoms

Lack of iron in the blood causes several symptoms in the body, such as general weakness, lightheadedness, rapid palpitations, coldness in the hands and feet, brittle nails, pale skin, etc. Consuming ferrous sulfate helps to deal with these problems. These symptoms gradually worsen if not treated on time. Enough iron ensures that the body receives the necessary nutrients to function properly, reducing the side effects.

Prevent & Treat Anaemia

Anaemia is a medical condition resulting from low levels of RBC in the body. It is a serious condition that, if not treated, could lead to extreme tiredness, complications during pregnancy, heart and lung problems, and the risks of infections in the body. In such cases, doctors usually prescribe iron supplements in oral forms, such as ferrous sulphate.

Minimizes Complications Post Surgery

Various research studies have shown that iron deficiency poses a risk for post-surgery complications. Taking iron supplements like ferrous sulphate before any surgery helps manage the risks. However, iron supplements like ferrous sulfate take a minimum of 2 to 3 months to keep the iron level normal. So, patients who do not have time to wait for surgery should opt for other forms of iron therapy.

Apart from all these, ferrous sulfate benefits also include the following:

• Improving Performance in Sports and Studies

Sportspersons and students often take iron supplements to restore iron levels in the body. [2] Iron supplements like ferrous sulfate are given to treat certain disorders like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), a type of nervous system disorder that creates difficulty in concentration, over-impulsive behaviour, and overactivity in humans

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

It is another condition caused by iron deficiency in the body. This disorder translates into uncontrolled movement of the legs because of sensation. Taking ferrous sulfate helps to deal with this symptom. 

• Canker Sores

Iron supplements are also helpful for canker sores or cracks that appear in the soft skin of the mouth, creating problems while drinking and eating things. Females who are trying to get pregnant also need iron supplements to increase the chance of pregnancy. 

• Menstrual Bleeding

Ferrous sulphate also helps women who are suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding. 

In short, ferrous sulphate benefits immensely in dealing with problems that happen due to low iron levels in the body.

Who is at Risk of Iron Deficiency?

Iron deficiency is evident in specific groups of people. At various stages of life, people experience a lack of iron, and in some cases, diets and lifestyles are responsible for low levels of iron. People who are more at risk are:

• Grown-up children
• Infants
• Females entering adolescence
• Pregnant ladies
• Women nearing menopause
• Patients suffering from chronic diseases
• People who frequently donate blood
• People who follow vegetarian diets are at risk of low iron content 
• People who are undergoing dialysis for kidney ailments also experience low iron content
• Babies born prematurely also suffer from low iron content. 

Common Side Sffects of Ferrous Sulfate

The ferrous sulfate side effects are very common. They might cause gastrointestinal discomforts such as diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning, bloating, etc. In some cases, it could lead to heartburn. 

Most importantly, ferrous sulfate may interfere with other medications. Therefore, people who are undergoing treatment for various medical problems such as Parkinson's, cancer, indigestion, constipation, ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), thyroid disease, etc., should talk to their respective doctors before starting iron supplements.

Precautions to Take While Consuming Ferrous Sulfate

Certain types of food and necessary chemicals for the body, such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc, might interact with iron absorption. Therefore, It is better to take ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach so that the body can absorb it better. But sometimes, it leads to gas formation and stomach pain in the body. Therefore, healthcare practitioners usually suggest taking it with meals or after meals to avoid such problems. But the expert recommendation here is to take ferrous sulfate with food that does not contain a high amount of calcium. 

Further, you should not take it with beverages like tea or coffee as they contain phytates, a type of substance that is present in plant seeds, which obstructs nutrient absorption in the body.

Additionally, experts say that taking vitamin C helps faster absorption of iron taken from ferrous sulfate tablets. If you take ferrous sulfate with foods that contain vitamin C, it might enable your body to absorb more iron.

Potential Uses of Ferrous Sulfate

Ferrous sulfate is mostly found in tablet format. These supplements are also available in liquid form. In the market, they are found under different names, such as ferrous sulfate, Ironorm, iron (Fe), Ferrograd, Ferosul, Fer-In-Sol, Feratab, and Feospan. 

If you want to know whether you are taking ferrous sulphate, you must check the ingredients of the medicine written on it. Iron supplements sometimes are offered in combination with other vitamins and medicines. 

If you are already taking an iron medicine, your doctor would tell you to refrain from taking ferrous sulfate. However, if you take it in liquid form, you can measure the drop with a dropper that accompanies the medicine.

What is the Right Dosage of Ferrous Sulfate?

You should talk to your doctor to know the right ferrous sulphate dose that your body requires. Your doctor will decide on how much ferrous sulphate dosage you should consume based on your age, sex, medical history, and the reason you need the medicine. Then, depending on your condition, the doctor will prescribe the number of tablets you need per day to increase your iron content. 

The iron deficiency treatment will vary from individual to individual. Sometimes the doctors may suggest a combination of treatments like diet and medicine to improve the iron level in the body. This could include certain iron-rich foods and then ferrous sulphate to deal with the anaemia caused by iron deficiency.

If you are experiencing any health concerns like anaemia or have questions about ferrous sulfate and its usage, consider a general physician appointment at Bajaj Finserv Health. You can book an online appointment or opt for an in-person meeting. Stay healthy, and take care!