Douglas Laboratories Timed Release Iron

Our assessment

The evidence shows that this product is a timed-release iron supplement from Douglas Laboratories. Based on the available data, we cannot confirm the exact dosage per serving or specific ingredient amounts, as this information is listed as "See label." For a general audience, iron is essential for red blood cell production, but the safety and efficacy of this specific timed-release formulation depend on the precise label details, which are not provided here.

How it works

Iron plays a critical role in transporting oxygen throughout your body via hemoglobin. A timed-release design typically allows for a slower, steadier absorption, which may help reduce gastrointestinal side effects often associated with immediate-release iron supplements. However, without the specific dosage from the label, we cannot evaluate if the release profile is optimized for your needs.

Safety profile

FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplements, but specific side effect counts for this Douglas Laboratories product are not available in the provided data. Iron supplements can cause constipation, nausea, and stomach upset, especially at higher doses. You should never exceed the recommended dose on the label, as iron overload can be toxic, particularly for men and postmenopausal women. Data not available on specific report counts for this product.

Our recommendation

We recommend you first check the label for the exact milligram amount of iron per tablet. If you are considering this supplement, you should have your iron levels (ferritin and hemoglobin) tested by a healthcare provider to confirm a deficiency. If you have a condition like hemochromatosis, do not take iron supplements without medical supervision. Always take iron with vitamin C (like a glass of orange juice) to enhance absorption, but avoid taking it within two hours of calcium-rich foods or medications like levothyroxine [NIH ODS].

Supplement labels contain several key sections regulated by the FDA:

• Serving Size — The recommended amount per dose. Always check this — some products require multiple capsules per serving.
• Amount Per Serving — Shows the quantity of each nutrient in the product, typically in IU (International Units), mg (milligrams), or mcg (micrograms).
• % Daily Value (%DV) — Indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 5% DV or less is low; 20% DV or more is high.
• Other Ingredients — Lists inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, and capsule materials (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate).
• Suggested Use — The manufacturer's recommended directions for taking the supplement, including timing and dosage.

Source: FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide