People at risk of iron deficiency and anemia:

• Women. A study of healthy women with normal menses lost 1 milligram of iron per menstrual cycle, and women with excessive menstrual bleeding lost 4 to 5 times more per cycle. [1]
• Pregnant and nursing women. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is 20 percent, and the prevalence of iron-deficiency is 30 to 40 percent in industrialized countries. [2]
• Adults who have internal bleeding [read "An Aspirin-a-Day May Cause Anemia"]
  
• Adults who get kidney dialysis treatments [read "Link between Kidney Disease, Iron, and Lance Armstrong" ]
  

 Risk factors for iron deficiency and anemia:

• Inadequate iron intake (i.e., diets lacking meat or plant sources of iron)
• Illnesses which limit mineral intake or absorption such as Whipple’s diseases or tropical sprue or blood disorders such as cancer, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia
• Foods that inhibit absorption such as tea, coffee, eggs (see FAQs below)
• Medicines that interfere with iron absorption such as Cholestyramine and Colestipol, cholesterol-lowering medications that impact bile acid, or anti-ulcer medications that change the pH of the stomach
• Blood loss caused by menstruation, frequent blood donation or drawing of blood samples for laboratory tests

References:

1. Napolitano M, Dolce A, Celenz G, et al, "Iron-dependent erythropoiesis in women with excessive menstrual blood losses and women with normal menses", Annals of Hematology, April 2014

2. World Health Organization, "Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Assessment, Prevention and Control, A Guide for Programme Managers", 2001

Symptoms of iron deficiency

• Brittle nails
• Swelling or soreness of the tongue
• Cracks in the sides of the mouth
• Enlarged spleen
• Frequent infections

Symptoms of anemia

• Pica - craving for non-food items such as clay, laundry soap, paint, etc.
• Poor appetite
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Heart beats rapidly in an attempt to provide more oxygen to cells
• Restless leg syndrome

Source: National Institute of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ida/signs>, accessed April 15, 2015

An Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98 percent) healthy individuals in a group.

Ages	Males	Females	Pregnancy
9-13 years	8 mg	8 mg
14-18 years	11 mg	15 mg	27 mg
19-30 years	8 mg	18 mg	27 mg
31-50 years	8 mg	18 mg	27 mg
51-70 years	8 mg	8 mg
>70 years	8 mg	8 mg

Source: Dietary Reference Intakes: Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, National Academies

Food Sources of Iron:

Meat			Grains
Liver 3 oz	7.5 mg		Fortified oatmeal 1 cup	8 mg
Round steak 3 oz	3 mg		Fortified cereal 1 cup	8 mg
Lean hamburger 3 oz	3 mg		Bagel	1.7 mg
Fruit			Vegetables
Prune juice 6 oz	7 mg		Cooked Spinach 1/2 cup	2.3 mg
Dried apricots 1/2 cup	2.5 mg		Peas 1/2 cup	1.6 mg
Prunes (5)	2 mg		Asparagus 1/2 cup	1.5 mg

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2014. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 27. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, <http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrient data>

Bioavailability
A 3 oz hamburger and a cup of asparagus each contains 3 mg of iron. Heme (animal) iron is more absorbable than non-heme (plant) iron. Due to the difference in the bioavailability of iron, 20 times as much iron can be absorbed from the hamburger as from asparagus. Source: Brown J, The Science of Human Nutrition, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990

 

• Tired of Being Tired: Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia
• An Aspirin-a-Day May Cause Anemia
• Link between Kidney Disease, Iron, and Lance Armstrong
• Costs and Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
• Anemia, Iron Deficiency and Sleep Disorders

Why are TransMins2 Iron 27+ tablets better than liquid iron?
The Mayo Clinic notes that liquid iron can stain your teeth. [1]  Since our tablets dissolve gently in your gastrointestinal tract, TransMins2 Iron 27+ are less likely to harm your "pearly whites".*

How does TransMins2 Iron 27+ prevent constipation?
The iron is bound in a fiber tablet. The fiber helps to counteract the constipation that many women get when taking iron supplements.*

What is the source of iron?
The iron source for TransMins2 Iron 27+ is ferrous sulfate. Approximately, 83 mg of ferrous sulfate is reacted with amino acids in each Iron 27+ tablet.

My doctor recommended that I take 325 milligrams (mg) of iron daily. How many tablets of Iron 27+ should I take to get 325 mg?
Your doctor probably meant 325 mg of ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumerate or ferrous gluconate – common iron supplement preparations. Each Iron 27+ tablet has 83 mg of ferrous sulfate, of which 27 mg is elemental iron. To get your doctor’s recommended dosage, you would need to take 4 tablets daily. Since Iron 27+ is more bioavailable than other iron supplements, you do not need to take 325 mg daily.*  But if you or your doctor still think that a large dose is critical to overcoming your anemia, take up to four Iron 27+ tablets daily for 1 to 4 weeks, then cut back to only one tablet daily to maintain your optimal levels.*

What inhibits iron absorption?
Phytates (e.g. grains and beans), polyphenols (e.g., teas, coffee, wine, fruits), calcium and some proteins (i.e., eggs, milk, and soy) can inhibit iron absorption. [2]  If you consume any of these foods, herbs or minerals, then take your Iron 27+ several hours before or after their consumption to increase iron bioavailability.*

Can iron cure canker sores?
Yes. While the cause of canker sores is not clear (e.g., a minor injury, acidic foods, stress, etc.), the National Institute of Health suggests that certain immunity-boosting vitamins (Vitamin B12 and folate) and iron) might be a long-term solution. [3]

More FAQs>>

References:

[1] Mayo Clinic, "Iron Supplement, Proper Use", <http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/iron-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/proper-use/drg-20070148>, accessed April 16, 2015

[2] Hurrell R and Egli I, "Iron bioavailability and dietary reference values", The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 3, 2010

[3] Medline Plus,  "Canker Sores", <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000998.htm >, accessed April 16, 2015