Australians buying ‘iron supplements’ containing little more iron than a slice of bread, experts warn | Health

Prof Geraldine Moses was talking to a nurse and the nurse told her something alarming: Patients with kidney failure were taking “iron supplements” that contained almost no iron.

Patients receiving kidney dialysis often need iron supplements because the disease reduces the body’s ability to produce red blood cells, leading to iron deficiency and anemia.

Moses, a clinical pharmacy doctor who specializes in drug information, said this was no surprise to him given the proliferation of iron products, which he described as “useless” and “ineffective.”

The tablets, sold online, in supermarkets and other retailers, contain very small amounts of elemental iron (5 mg or less per serving) but are marketed in a way that implies they can treat iron deficiency.

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Some low-dose products market themselves as “kind to the stomach,” but the real reason they don’t cause discomfort is because “they have almost no iron in them,” Moses said.

“You see powders, liquids, tablets and even expensive sachets of so-called iron-fortified water that contain slightly more iron than a bowl of cereal or a slice of bread,” he said.

“Women may need to take iron specifically because they lose a lot of blood due to menstruation or pregnancy. [a woman] “You go to the store and buy a product that says it’s an iron supplement and there’s almost nothing in it, it doesn’t cure iron deficiency.”

This is the president of the Royal Australian College of Physicians, Prof. It is a concern shared by Jennifer Martin; He echoed Musa’s call for Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), to impose stronger oversight of dietary supplements and their marketing.

“Many iron supplements are considered ‘food supplements’ or ‘listed medicines’ by the TGA and so there are far fewer requirements to prove their effectiveness compared to prescription-only or ‘registered’ medicines,” said Martin, a senior physician and clinical pharmacologist.

“The immediate solution is for doctors to specify exactly which product they want patients to use when prescribing iron, and for patients to clarify this with their doctor if they are unsure. But ultimately there needs to be better regulatory oversight of supplements and the way they are marketed.”

For iron deficiency anemia, Australian Red Cross Lifeguard’s advice 100-200 mg of elemental iron daily. This can be taken in separate doses.

The website says: “More than 100 preparations containing iron are available in Australia, but very few contain a therapeutic dose for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.

“Multivitamin-mineral supplements should be avoided because they are low in elemental iron (usually 5 mg or less) and may contain other ingredients that limit absorption.”

Moses, who is also an assistant professor at the University of Queensland’s School of Pharmacy, said some low-dose products of concern were already regulated as medicines.

“It makes no sense for the TGA to allow these products to claim to prevent iron deficiency or call themselves iron supplements.”

A spokesperson for the TGA did not directly respond to Guardian Australia’s questions about whether it had concerns that these products could mislead consumers. The spokesman said the TGA was “not currently planning any such activity” in terms of minimum therapeutic dose requirements or greater oversight of low-dose iron supplements.

Meanwhile, Martin said there needed to be more regulation of pharmacies and more transparency about who was sponsoring products that received TGA registration.

“We need better ways to ensure people know the differences between treatments supported by evidence and those that are unproven, particularly what information pharmacies should give people about this and when people should talk to their doctor.”

What should you do if you’re concerned about your iron intake?

• Always see your doctor for testing and advice because other medications, absorption problems and underlying conditions affect how much iron is needed and how it should be taken.

• People with iron deficiency generally need 150 to 200 mg of elemental iron per day. Check the label for “elemental iron” and the amount per dose.

• Many iron supplements are considered “food supplements” or “listed medicines” by the TGA and there is less of a requirement to prove their effectiveness.

• If you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency or anemia, call the AUST R number; These products are fully evaluated by the TGA for safety, quality and effectiveness.

• And consult your doctor for product recommendations.