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Ferrous Gluconate

4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1025 ratings)
Iron 27 mg
Product Image
Score86
A good-value, clearly labeled 27 mg iron tablet for confirmed need, with a simpler and less aggressive profile than high-dose sulfate products.
How scoring works
Tablet
Quantity:100 Tablet(s) • (100 servings)
Goals:
Hair Health
Energy
Productivity Boost
Nail Health

Score 86

A good-value, clearly labeled 27 mg iron tablet for confirmed need, with a simpler and less aggressive profile than high-dose sulfate products.
How scoring works
$7.28($0.07 per serving)
iHerb
$ 7.28
Amazon
$ 8.99
Walmart
$ 9.49
Pure Formulas
$ 8.09
Vitacost
$ 7.39
Report prices

Analysis

A 27 mg serving provides a substantial but less aggressive iron amount than common 65 mg tablets. Ferrous gluconate is clearly named, so the active form and exposure are straightforward to assess.

The simple formula may support iron-related energy and hair needs when low iron is the underlying issue. It does not include vitamin C or other nutrients, which keeps the label focused but places absorption support on the rest of the diet.

A large tablet count and low serving cost make ongoing monitored use practical. The main trade-off is that unnecessary iron provides no advantage and can create digestive or accumulation concerns.

Who is it for
  • Adults with confirmed low iron
  • People seeking a simple ferrous gluconate tablet
Best for
  • Moderate-dose iron replacement
  • Low-cost monitored use

Pros

  • Clear 27 mg iron amount
  • Simple single-active formula
  • Ferrous gluconate form
  • Strong value per serving

Cons

  • No vitamin C is included
  • May still cause digestive effects
  • Tablet format may not suit everyone
  • Offers no benefit without an iron need

Warnings

  • Use iron for a confirmed need because unnecessary intake can accumulate in people with iron-overload disorders.
  • Iron may cause constipation, nausea, stomach discomfort, or dark stools.
  • Separate iron from levothyroxine and tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics according to professional guidance.

Nutrient quality

88 Highest impact

A meaningful iron amount provides direct nutritional utility. Standard form quality and missing cofactors limit absorption support and tolerance.

Ingredient transparency

88 Highest impact

The active iron form and amount are clearly stated without a hidden blend. Missing full directions and non-active ingredients leave modest label gaps.

Customer satisfaction

71 High impact

The supplied average is strong and supported by substantial response volume. No comment-level evidence is available to assess repeated complaints or alignment with the intended use.

Value for money

94 Highest impact

A meaningful iron dose and simple formula provide practical value. Missing cofactors and only moderate form quality keep it below better-designed options.

Report analysis

Goals

Hair Health
Hair Health
Impact
High effect
B+ Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportD+ CoverageA- Formula Quality
Iron · 27 mg

Correcting low iron stores can meaningfully reduce deficiency-related hair shedding. Iron does not support extra growth when ferritin and hemoglobin are already adequate.

Ferrous gluconate is clearly disclosed and provides a standard absorbable salt, although no vitamin C is included. The daily amount can cause stomach upset and should be used for a confirmed need because unnecessary iron may accumulate.

Study evidence
Iron Disputed 25 studies
Energy
Energy
Impact
High effect
B Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportD CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Iron · 27 mg

Ferrous gluconate supplies a meaningful iron amount in a clearly identified form for blood-cell production and oxygen transport. Iron is foundational when intake is low or deficiency is confirmed, but it is not a universal daily need.

The focused tablet avoids unrelated ingredients and provides a commonly used iron form. The amount can cause constipation, nausea, or abdominal discomfort and may be inappropriate for men, postmenopausal women, or anyone without an identified need.

Study evidence
Iron Supportive 74 studies
Productivity Boost
Productivity Boost
Impact
High effect
C Goal FitB- Strength of SupportD- CoverageA- Formula Quality
Iron · 27 mg

Iron may improve energy and work capacity when deficiency is causing fatigue. The 27 mg amount is not a general productivity enhancer for people with adequate iron status.

Ferrous gluconate provides a clearly disclosed single-mineral dose without absorption cofactors. Iron can cause nausea or constipation and should not be used at this amount without a demonstrated need because excess iron can be harmful.

Study evidence
Iron Supportive 69 studies
Nail Health
Nail Health
Impact
High effect
D+ Goal FitA- Strength of SupportD- CoverageB+ Formula Quality

Iron may support nail growth when iron deficiency causes brittle or spoon-shaped nails. Deficiency correction is well supported, but iron has little nail benefit when iron stores are adequate.

The 27 mg iron amount is substantial and suited to correcting low iron under appropriate guidance. Ferrous gluconate and its exact amount are clearly disclosed. Unneeded iron can cause harm, so ongoing use should be guided by iron-status testing rather than nail appearance alone.

Study evidence
Iron Disputed 4 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Iron (Ferrous Gluconate)
 27 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
Iron (Ferrous Gluconate) · 27 mg OverallScore79
D Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

The standard ferrous gluconate form provides an effective amount of clearly labeled iron in one tablet. It lacks Vitamin C or other absorption support and may be less gentle than a chelated form. The low serving cost makes it an economical basic iron option.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
85 Performance

Iron Complex

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler
Ferrochel iron is paired with vitamin C, methylcobalamin, folic acid, and histidine, giving broader disclosed support for energy and hair goals. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 27 mg. The added nutrients make it less minimal than a single-ingredient iron product.
87 Performance

Vegan True Iron Support

Source Naturals
Ferrochel bisglycinate iron is combined with vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin B12, with strong iron and energy alignment. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 27 mg. Cyanocobalamin and folic acid are clearly listed, although other forms may be preferred by some users.
86 Performance

Chelated Iron 18 mg

Bluebonnet
The concise formula uses a clearly identified ferrous bisglycinate chelate and avoids unrelated active ingredients. Its iron amount is lower than the original’s 27 mg. The simpler amount may suit users who do not need a higher-dose or multi-ingredient formula.
77 Budget

Iron 65 mg

Nature Made
The lower serving cost provides a clearly identified ferrous sulfate form. Its iron amount is higher than the original’s 27 mg. The single-active formula keeps the formula similarly focused on iron.
85 Budget

Iron 25 mg

Source Naturals
The lower serving cost provides iron as an explicitly named amino acid chelate. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 27 mg. The single-active formula keeps the formula similarly focused on iron.
85 Budget

Iron Ferrochel Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate 36 mg

California Gold Nutrition
The supplied serving cost is not lower, so this is a fit-focused fallback that provides iron as a clearly identified Ferrochel ferrous bisglycinate chelate. Its iron amount is higher than the original’s 27 mg. The single-active formula keeps the formula similarly focused on iron.
86 Value

High Absorption Iron with Ferrochel 27 mg

Doctor's Best
The supplied serving cost is not lower, so this is a fit-focused fallback that provides a focused Ferrochel iron formula with favorable iron and hair-goal alignment. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 27 mg. The single-active formula keeps the formula similarly focused on iron.
80 Value

Iron 27 mg

21st Century
The lower serving cost provides ferrous gluconate iron with a disclosed calcium amount. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 27 mg. The added calcium makes it less minimal than a single-ingredient iron option.
78 Value

Prenatal Multivitamin/Multimineral with Folate

Spring Valley
The lower serving cost provides iron alongside folate, vitamin C, vitamin D3, zinc, and other prenatal nutrients. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 27 mg. The iron form is not supplied, and the prenatal focus may be unnecessary for someone seeking iron alone.
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Effect of iron therapy on fatigue symptoms in non-anaemic iron deficient women of reproductive age- A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Sultana N; Bajwa FA; Sikandar MZ; Haider MM; Majeed T · JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association · 2026
    Randomized trial164 participantsEnergy forIron
  2. The Effect of Parenteral or Oral Iron Supplementation on Fatigue, Sleep, Quality of Life and Restless Legs Syndrome in Iron-Deficient Blood Donors: A Secondary Analysis of the IronWoMan RCT.
    Macher S; Herster C; Holter M; Moritz M; Matzhold EM; Stojakovic T; Pieber TR; Schlenke P; Drexler C; Amrein K · Nutrients · 2021
    Randomized trial176 participantsEnergy forIron
  3. Intravenous iron for the treatment of fatigue in nonanemic, premenopausal women with low serum ferritin concentration.
    Krayenbuehl PA; Battegay E; Breymann C; Furrer J; Schulthess G · Blood · 2011
    Randomized trial90 participantsEnergy forIron
  4. Clinical evaluation of iron treatment efficiency among non-anemic but iron-deficient female blood donors: a randomized controlled trial.
    Waldvogel S; Pedrazzini B; Vaucher P; Bize R; Cornuz J; Tissot JD; Favrat B · BMC medicine · 2012
    Randomized trial154 participantsEnergy forIron
  5. Maternal Fatigue after Postpartum Anemia Treatment with Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose vs. Intravenous Ferric Derisomaltose vs. Oral Ferrous Sulphate: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Bombač Tavčar L; Hrobat H; Gornik L; Preložnik Zupan I; Vidmar Šimic M; Pečlin P; Kavšek G; Lučovnik M · Journal of clinical medicine · 2024
    Randomized trial300 participantsEnergy forIron
  6. Iron deficiency, general health and fatigue: results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.
    Patterson AJ; Brown WJ; Powers JR; Roberts DC · Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2001
    Cohort studyEnergy forIron
  7. Iron plays a certain role in patterned hair loss.
    Park SY; Na SY; Kim JH; Cho S; Lee JH · Journal of Korean medical science · 2014
    Case-control study420 participantsHair Health forIron
  8. Iron status in diffuse telogen hair loss among women.
    Moeinvaziri M; Mansoori P; Holakooee K; Safaee Naraghi Z; Abbasi A · Acta dermatovenerologica Croatica : ADC · 2010
    Case-control study60 participantsHair Health forIron
  9. Low iron stores: a risk factor for excessive hair loss in non-menopausal women.
    Deloche C; Bastien P; Chadoutaud S; Galan P; Bertrais S; Hercberg S; de Lacharrière O · European journal of dermatology : EJD · 2008
    Cross-sectional study5,110 participantsHair Health forIron
  10. A Hospital-based Study to Determine Causes of Diffuse Hair Loss in Women.
    Malkud S · Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR · 2015
    Observational study180 participantsHair Health forIron
  11. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to iron and maintenance of normal hair growth pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusHair Health forIron
  12. Hair Loss After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
    Zhang W; Fan M; Wang C; Mahawar K; Parmar C; Chen W; Yang W; Global Bariatric Research Collaborative · Obesity surgery · 2021
    Meta-analysis2,538 participants18 studies pooledHair Health forIron
  13. Large-dose intravenous ferric carboxymaltose injection for iron deficiency anemia in heavy uterine bleeding: a randomized, controlled trial.
    Van Wyck DB; Mangione A; Morrison J; Hadley PE; Jehle JA; Goodnough LT · Transfusion · 2010
    Randomized trial477 participantsEnergy forIron
  14. Ferric carboxymaltose vs. oral iron in the treatment of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia: an international, open-label, randomized controlled trial (FER-ASAP).
    Breymann C; Milman N; Mezzacasa A; Bernard R; Dudenhausen J; FER-ASAP investigators · Journal of perinatal medicine · 2018
    Randomized trial252 participantsEnergy forIron
  15. Intravenous iron isomaltoside treatment of women suffering from severe fatigue after postpartum hemorrhage.
    Holm C; Thomsen LL; Langhoff-Roos J · The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians · 2019
    Randomized trial85 participantsEnergy forIron
  16. The Association Between Alopecia Areata and Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Large-Scale Population-Based Case-Control Study.
    Davidovici B; Drutin Y; Ben-Tov A; Mimouni D; Wohl Y · Journal of personalized medicine · 2026
    Case-control study100,203 participantsHair Health forIron
  17. Iron Deficiency and Nonscarring Alopecia in Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Treister-Goltzman Y; Yarza S; Peleg R · Skin appendage disorders · 2022
    Meta-analysis10,029 participants36 studies pooledHair Health forIron
  18. Comparative Analysis of Postoperative Hair Loss and Micronutrient Deficiencies After One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy.
    Chinisaz F; Maleki T; Najjari K; Miratashi Yazdi SA · Obesity surgery · 2026
    Cohort study261 participantsHair Health forIron
  19. Assessment of Serum Ferritin Levels in Female Patients With Telogen Effluvium.
    Thamotharan N; Harikumar MV; Sundaram M; Swaminathan A; Rangarajan S · Cureus · 2026
    Cross-sectional study100 participantsHair Health forIron
  20. Diagnosis and treatment of female alopecia: Focusing on the iron deficiency-related alopecia.
    Lin CS; Chan LY; Wang JH; Chang CH · Tzu chi medical journal · 2023
    Cohort study155 participantsHair Health forIron
  21. A pilot iron substitution programme in female blood donors with iron deficiency without anaemia.
    Pittori C; Buser A; Gasser UE; Sigle J; Job S; Rüesch M; Tichelli A; Infanti L · Vox sanguinis · 2011
    Non-randomized trial224 participantsNail Health forIron
  22. Evaluation of nail abnormalities.
    Tully AS; Trayes KP; Studdiford JS · American family physician · 2013
    Narrative reviewNail Health forIron
  23. Vitamins and minerals: their role in nail health and disease.
    Scheinfeld N; Dahdah MJ; Scher R · Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD · 2007
    Narrative reviewNail Health forIron
  24. Efficacy and tolerability of a biomineral formulation for treatment of onychoschizia: a randomized trial
    Adele Sparavigna, Beatrice Tenconi, Laura La Penna · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology · 2019
    Randomized trial48 participantsNail Health forIron
  25. Effects of daily iron supplementation in primary-school-aged children: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Low M; Farrell A; Biggs BA; Pasricha SR · CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2014
    Meta-analysis7,089 participants32 studies pooledProductivity Boost forIron
  26. Consumption of Iron-Biofortified Beans Positively Affects Cognitive Performance in 18- to 27-Year-Old Rwandan Female College Students in an 18-Week Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial.
    Murray-Kolb LE; Wenger MJ; Scott SP; Rhoten SE; Lung'aho MG; Haas JD · The Journal of nutrition · 2017
    Randomized trial150 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  27. Functional consequences of iron supplementation in iron-deficient female cotton mill workers in Beijing, China.
    Li R; Chen X; Yan H; Deurenberg P; Garby L; Hautvast JG · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 1994
    Randomized trial80 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  28. The Effect of Iron-Fortified Lentils on Blood and Cognitive Status among Adolescent Girls in Bangladesh.
    Barnett AL; Wenger MJ; Yunus FM; Jalal C; DellaValle DM · Nutrients · 2023
    Randomized trial359 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  29. Daily iron supplementation for improving anaemia, iron status and health in menstruating women.
    Low MS; Speedy J; Styles CE; De-Regil LM; Pasricha SR · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016
    Meta-analysis8,506 participants67 studies pooledProductivity Boost forIron