# What is the best iron supplement in South Africa?

Source: https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/best-iron-supplement-south-africa/
Publisher: Healthnews24 (South Africa's supplement answer desk)
Updated: 2026-10-27

> There is no single best iron supplement, and you should not buy one before a blood test. As of October 2026, Dis-Chem Gold Iron High Strength (24 mg elemental iron) is the cheapest we found at R2.29 to R4.50 a day; Metagenics Hemagenics (ferrous bisglycinate, 24 mg) costs about R7.08. Confirm dose and duration with your doctor.

Key facts:
- As of October 2026, Dis-Chem Gold Iron High Strength (24 mg elemental iron) costs R2.29 a day in the 120-tablet pack and R4.50 in the 30-tablet pack.
- Metagenics Hemagenics Iron (ferrous bisglycinate, 24 mg) costs R424.90 for 60 tablets, about R7.08 a day.
- NIH adult upper intake level for iron is 45 mg a day.
- Therapeutic oral iron in athletes is commonly 60 to 120 mg of elemental iron, under medical guidance.

## What iron supplements are on the South African shelf?

Our iron sample is thin: we found three products with stated iron amounts (Dis-Chem Living Fit and Faithful to Nature, October 2026). We did not find Floradix, Salus or Ferrimed listings with usable prices.

| Product | Iron per tablet | Pack and price | Price per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dis-Chem Gold Iron High Strength, 120 tablets | 24 mg elemental iron (amino-acid chelate) | R274.99 | R2.29 |
| Dis-Chem Gold Iron High Strength, 30 tablets | 24 mg elemental iron | R134.99 | R4.50 |
| Metagenics Hemagenics Iron, 60 tablets | 24 mg (ferrous bisglycinate; elemental not specified) | R424.90 | R7.08 |

The Dis-Chem Gold tablet also contains 347 µg folic acid, 1 µg B12 and 15 mg vitamin C. Its page states that it is an unregistered medicine not evaluated by SAHPRA. Metagenics adds 100 µg B12, 500 µg folate and 5 mg vitamin B6.

## How do iron forms differ?

Ferrous sulphate and fumarate are the cheapest and best studied but are the most likely to cause constipation or nausea. Amino-acid chelates and bisglycinate are generally marketed as gentler; head-to-head evidence is limited, so treat the claim as a tolerance hint, not a guarantee. Always compare **elemental iron**, not the compound weight.

## Should you take iron at all?

Only after a blood test. Supplementing when iron status is normal does not help and can harm, and everyone who feels tired does not need iron. The sports-medicine staging used for athletes is ferritin below 35 µg/L for depletion and below 20 µg/L for deficiency without anaemia. Therapeutic oral courses in athletes are often 60 to 120 mg of elemental iron under medical guidance, so a single 24 mg tablet may be too little or the wrong schedule. Read [iron supplements for runners](/answers/iron-supplements-for-runners-south-africa/) and [do women need iron supplements?](/answers/do-women-need-iron-supplements-south-africa/).

## How should you take it?

- Morning, on an empty stomach if tolerated, otherwise with a small snack; alternate-day dosing may improve absorption.
- With vitamin C, away from tea, coffee, calcium and high-dose zinc.
- Separate from levothyroxine and from quinolone or tetracycline antibiotics; proton-pump inhibitors reduce absorption.
- Time it before or soon after exercise, before the post-exercise hepcidin rise (about 3 to 6 hours later).

## Who should avoid it?

People with haemochromatosis or thalassaemia, and men or postmenopausal women without a diagnosed deficiency. Keep every iron product out of children's reach: accidental overdose is a leading poisoning risk in young children. The NIH upper level for adults is 45 mg a day.

## What about iron in a multivitamin?

Multivitamins range from 1 mg of iron (Viridian High Five) to 10 mg (Dis-Chem Gold Supreme Active), which is enough to maintain but not to treat a deficiency. See [the best multivitamin in South Africa](/answers/best-multivitamin-in-south-africa-2026/). The AIS lists iron as a Group A medical supplement, used under clinical supervision. We found no third-party sport certification for these iron products.

## Products mentioned

| Product | Size | Price (source, date) | Servings | R per serving | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dis-Chem Gold Iron High Strength value pack 120 coated tablets | 120 tablets | R275 (Dis-Chem Living Fit, 2026-10) | 120 | R2.29 | not stated |
| Dis-Chem Gold Iron High Strength 30 coated tablets | 30 tablets | R135 (Dis-Chem Living Fit, 2026-10) | 30 | R4.50 | not stated |
| Metagenics Hemagenics Iron 60 tablets | 60 tablets | R425 (Faithful to Nature, 2026-10) | 60 | R7.08 | not stated |

## Sources

- [NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron, health professional fact sheet](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/)
- [Sim et al. 2019, Iron considerations for the athlete: a narrative review (Eur J Appl Physiol)](https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/publications/iron-considerations-for-the-athlete-a-narrative-review/)
- [GSSI Sports Science Exchange: Contemporary approaches to the identification and treatment of iron deficiency in athletes](https://www.gssiweb.org/en/sports-science-exchange/article/contemporary-approaches-to-the-identification-and-treatment-of-iron-deficiency-in-athletes)
- [Australian Institute of Sport Supplement Framework, Group A](https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/supplements/group_a)