✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
📰Read the full Iron Bisglycinate evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ 2–4× absorption vs ferrous sulfate [1]
⚠ Can take WITH food (unlike ferrous sulfate) [1]
⚠ GI side effects dramatically reduced vs sulfate — better compliance [2]
⚠ Ferrochel: patented, most studied [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
Recommended test
See main Iron entry
See main Iron entry
Reference range / target
Ferritin, Hb, TSAT per Iron entry
Ferritin, Hb, TSAT per Iron entry
May need lower doses than ferrous sulfate targets [1].
Full lab monitoring ↓⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Iron bisglycinate is the preferred iron form: 2–4× absorption, far fewer GI side effects, minimal food inhibitor interaction, and can be taken WITH food. Ferrochel is the gold-standard patented chelate. Lower doses (25 mg) may equal higher-dose ferrous sulfate (60+ mg) for Hb response with better compliance [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
Preferred pregnancy iron form (tolerability + absorption) [2].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Well-tolerated. Used in pediatric iron deficiency [2].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: Any time — with or without food [1].
💊 With food: Can take with food (unlike sulfate) [1].
🚫 Avoid: See main Iron entry for iron overload contraindications [2].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Iron bisglycinate chelate (Ferrochel)', 'preferred', 'Patented chelate. Most studied form. 25–50 mg elemental Fe [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Iron bisglycinate + vitamin C', 'preferred', 'Vitamin C enhances even bisglycinate absorption [2].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Why bisglycinate over ferrous sulfate? ▼
Can I take it with food? ▼
Yes — unlike ferrous sulfate (which needs empty stomach for best absorption), bisglycinate can be taken with food without significant absorption loss. This is a major convenience advantage [1].
Is Ferrochel the best brand? ▼
Ferrochel is the patented, most-studied iron bisglycinate chelate. Generic 'iron bisglycinate' products may vary in chelation quality. Ferrochel provides assured chelation [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
2–4× absorption vs ferrous sulfate in direct comparison studies [1]. Significantly fewer GI side effects vs ferrous sulfate (multiple trials) [2]. Less interaction with phytates, tannins, calcium [1]. HIGH
Moderate
Pregnancy anemia: iron bisglycinate at lower doses achieved comparable Hb increase to higher-dose ferrous sulfate with fewer side effects [2]. Children: well-tolerated in pediatric iron deficiency [2]. Food fortification: used in flour/cereal fortification in developing countries [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
Head-to-head outcome trials vs other chelated forms (fumarate, gluconate) [2]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Iron-overload disorders (hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, thalassemia with overload)
✕ Accidental pediatric iron overdose is a leading cause of poisoning deaths — keep away from children
Relative
⚠ Active infection — caution (iron and pathogen growth)
⚠ Separate from levothyroxine, tetracyclines, quinolones, antacids and calcium
⚠ Peptic ulcer/IBD — may irritate
🚩 Red flags
● See main Iron entry — all iron supplementation contraindications apply [2]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
See main Iron entry — but LESS affected by food inhibitors See iron
Mechanism: Chelate structure protects from phytate/tannin/calcium binding [1].
Effect: Better absorption even with food [1].
Action: Can take with food; still separate from tetracyclines/quinolones [1].
Supplement synergies
Vitamin C · 100–200 mg vitamin C with iron
Further enhances iron absorption [2].
Further enhances iron absorption [2].
7 Regulatory
United States (FDA): GRAS (Ferrochel). Dietary supplement [1].
WHO: Iron bisglycinate recommended for food fortification in developing countries [1].
8 US supplement products
9
on-market products containing Iron Bisglycinate (NIH DSLD)
Brands carrying Iron Bisglycinate (1)
Click a brand to see its Iron Bisglycinate products.
9 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Iron Bisglycinate — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 15]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/iron-bisglycinate/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Iron Bisglycinate — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/iron-bisglycinate/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: February 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Iron Bisglycinate — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/iron-bisglycinate/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG