Why taking high-dose iron every day can make things worse
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Have you ever felt run-down, had your iron checked, and left the doctor’s office with a prescription for strong tablets? You’re not alone. One of my friends recently found herself in that exact situation. Here's a snippet from our conversation:
A real convo about iron
Friend: Turns out I’m low in iron! My doctor prescribed Ferrogen. What do you think?
Me: Oh wow. It frustrates me when doctors go straight to prescribing high-dose ferrous sulfate. It’s harsh on digestion and poorly absorbed. Did they tell you not to take it every day?
Friend: I was told to take it every day!
Me: OMG 😳 Daily high-dose iron (≥100 mg) causes a big spike in hepcidin (the hormone that regulates iron)… it blocks further iron absorption for about 24 hours. So those tablets can actually make the deficiency worse!
Friend: Are there better forms of iron?
Me: Our bodies do better absorbing smaller amounts of iron more regularly.
From a nutritional perspective, I highly recommend food-based iron supplements. The Vitality Pills I make are awesome for building iron.
Because it’s heme iron (from organic chicken liver), it doesn’t spike hepcidin in the same way… so you actually absorb it efficiently, and it’s gentle on your digestion too.
Friend: That makes sense. Thanks for explaining. Your Vitality Pills sound like a better option 🙌
I share this story because I care that people get the right support. Too often, the “solution” is heavy-handed, outdated and doesn’t respect how our bodies actually work.
🌿 Meet hepcidin: The body’s iron gatekeeper
Hepcidin is a hormone made by the liver that decides how much iron your body should absorb or store.
When levels are high, your intestines close the “gate” to new iron; when levels drop, absorption increases again.
This means that more iron doesn’t always mean better results. In fact, overwhelming your system with big doses too frequently can cause hepcidin to rise and block the very nutrient you’re trying to replenish.
💊 Why food-based iron works with the body, not against it
Whole-food or heme iron sources (like liver, eggs, and meat) are packed with cofactors your body recognises. Because they’re in a natural form, your body can absorb them smoothly without the dramatic hepcidin response that synthetic tablets often cause.
That’s the approach behind Vitality Pills: capsules made from certified organic chicken liver. Each capsule contains food-based heme iron that’s easy on the stomach and genuinely effective over time.
🌼 The Bigger Picture
Iron deficiency doesn’t need to be a battle. With the right form, the right cofactors and the right approach, your body can gently rebuild its stores… without the side effects.
It’s not about forcing - it’s about supporting.
That’s why I created Vitality Pills: natural, food-based iron your body recognises and absorbs.
It actually works.
Shop Vitality Pills
About the Author: Kirrah Stewart has a Bachelors Degree in Clinical Science (majoring in Complementary Medicine: Nutrition & Herbal Medicine). A former doula with 15 years experience supporting families in pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She is the creator of Vitality Pills and Wisdom Formulas.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.