by Dr Duncan Rozario

If you’ve been told to take iron but still feel tired, foggy, or short of breath, you’re not alone.

Many patients take iron supplements for months—sometimes years—without meaningful improvement. The problem is not always the diagnosis.

Often, it’s the type of iron being used.

The Real Problem: Absorption

Most traditional iron supplements (such as ferrous sulfate) rely on absorption through the gastrointestinal tract.

This creates two major issues:

1. Poor absorption
   Iron competes with food, medications, and inflammation. Even when taken correctly, only a fraction is absorbed.
2. Gastrointestinal side effects
   Constipation, nausea, abdominal discomfort—these are common and often lead patients to stop treatment early.

As a result, many patients are caught in a frustrating cycle:

• Take iron
• Feel unwell
• Stop treatment
• Remain iron deficient

Why Iron Deficiency Persists

Even when hemoglobin appears normal, low ferritin can cause:

• Persistent fatigue
• Hair thinning
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Brain fog

This is often missed or undertreated.

A Different Approach to Iron

Newer forms of iron have been developed to address these limitations.

One such approach uses a delivery system that protects iron as it passes through the stomach, allowing it to be absorbed through alternative pathways in the intestine.

This has two important effects:

• Improved absorption
• Significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects

Why This Matters

For patients who:

• Cannot tolerate traditional iron
• Do not respond to standard supplements
• Want to avoid intravenous iron

A better-absorbed oral option can make a meaningful difference.

What to Look For in an Iron Supplement

When choosing an iron supplement, consider:

• Absorption profile
• Tolerability
• Consistency of use

An effective supplement is one that patients can actually take—and continue taking.

Final Thoughts

Iron deficiency is one of the most common and under-recognized conditions, particularly in women.

If treatment hasn’t worked for you in the past, it may not be a matter of compliance—it may be a matter of formulation.

References: Gómez-Ramírez S, Brilli E, Tarantino G, Muñoz M. Sucrosomial® Iron: An Updated Review of Its Clinical Efficacy for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(6):847. PMID: 37375794.

Fabiano A, Brilli E, Mattii L, Testai L, Moscato S, Citi V, Tarantino G, Zambito Y. Ex Vivo and in Vivo Study of Sucrosomial^® Iron Intestinal Absorption and Bioavailability. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Sep 12;19(9):2722. doi: 10.3390/ijms19092722. PMID: 30213039; PMCID: PMC6165425.

Learn more about advanced iron formulations and how they differ from conventional supplements.
Learn more about Sucrosomial technology

If you think you may have iron deficiency, speak with your healthcare professional about appropriate testing and treatment options.

Dr. Duncan Rozario is a practicing physician and serves as Chief Medical Officer for Sigma Life Sciences, the Canadian distributor of SiderAL® Sucrosomial® Iron.