OptiFer® Alpha Heme Iron Supplement 11 mg, 90 Tablets

OptiFer Alpha provides 11 mg of heme iron per tablet. Heme iron is the form found in meat. It is absorbed through its own pathway, separate from the one used by standard iron salts. This 90-tablet bottle lasts three months at one a day, which matches how long it usually takes to rebuild iron stores.

Why three months

Hemoglobin can improve within weeks, but ferritin, your stored iron, often takes three to six months to recover. Stopping as soon as you feel better is a common reason iron runs low again.

Why heme iron

• Less affected by tea, coffee, calcium and whole grains, so there are fewer timing rules
• Generally gentler on the stomach than iron salts

About the 11 mg dose

Don't compare it directly with the 65–100 mg printed on iron salt labels. Only a small fraction of iron salts is absorbed. Your ferritin trend over time is what tells you whether it's working.

Before you start

• Get tested first with a ferritin test and a CBC, and find out why your iron is low. Retest during a long course.
• Keep out of reach of children. Accidental iron overdose can be fatal for young children. If a child swallows any, contact your local poison centre right away.
• Ask a health professional before use if you have an iron-overload condition, or take thyroid medication or antibiotics.
• Contains a meat-derived ingredient, so it is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.