Is a higher dose always better?

No. Dose-fit rewards landing inside the range studied for the outcome — over-dosing (common with melatonin) or under-dosing both lower the score. The goal is the effective dose, not the biggest number.

What does the Value score mean?

The Value score compares a product's price per serving with clinically relevant products ranked for the same outcome. A score of 50 is the typical price; above 50 means better value than typical, while below 50 means the product costs more than typical. It is a 0–100 value signal, not a percentile.

Why is the cheapest product not #1?

Cost is only one input. The cheapest pick here is a citrate form with weaker absorption and a stock-risk flag, so it leads on Value-for-cost but trails on the composite that also weighs evidence, dose fit and availability.

Are these affiliate links?

Retailer links may be affiliate links and DoseRank may earn a commission. Rankings and placement are determined by the scoring model only — never by payment from a brand.

Is this medical advice?

No. DoseRank summarizes evidence to help you choose; it is not a substitute for a clinician, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.

Improve iron status

What this outcome means

Iron status reflects whether your body has enough iron on hand to make red blood cells and carry oxygen, and whether your stores are running low or topped up. On DoseRank it maps to a defined health outcome built from human studies on ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and hemoglobin – data sourced from open sources and specialized resources. DoseRank is not medical advice.

Who it's for

Running on emptyFatigue, pallor, or breathlessness that point to depleted iron stores.

Heavy-period monthsMenstrual blood loss that steadily draws iron reserves down.

Plant-based eatersVegetarian or vegan diets that supply iron in less absorbable forms.

Stack buildersAlready taking supplements such as Ferrous Bisglycinate or Ascorbic Acid and want the dose right.

Evidence level

92Strong

Ferrous Bisglycinate and Ascorbic Acid – have strong public evidence. DoseRank looks at both evidence quality and formula fit. A DoseFit Score of 67 means this product's ingredient forms and doses are close to what was used in the studies behind this ranking - DoseRank weights each product ingredient.

Best ingredients

Ferrous Bisglycinate and Ascorbic Acid are the best supported ingredient signals for this outcome.

Dose partly matchedDoseFit 67

Scores reward products dosed inside or above the studied range, not just the right ingredient. Examples: In range: Ferrous Bisglycinate 27 mg vs 15-120 mg; Below range: Ascorbic Acid 70 mg vs 100-500 mg.

Processed

5.2k

Available

5.2k

Ingredients

Brands

431

Coverage

100%

How to read the scores

What every metric means

Each score is 0–100. Higher is better for every metric below.

CompositeThe overall DoseRank score — a weighted blend of clinical strength, evidence, dose fit, trust and value.Higher is better

ClinicalHow strongly the formula's ingredients and doses match what clinical studies used for this outcome.Higher is better

EvidenceHow much published human research backs the formula's key ingredients for this outcome — both how many studies exist and how strong they are.Higher is better

ValueHow the price per serving compares with similar products for this outcome — 50 is the typical price, higher means better value for your money.Higher is better

TrustHow well customers rate this product, with extra weight given to ratings backed by a large number of reviews.Higher is better

PopularityHow strongly this product sells compared with the other ranked products for this outcome.Higher is better

This legend covers the scores on this page — for data sources, scoring weights, and limits, read the full methodology →

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Get a personal report

A saved, shareable breakdown: your matched products, dose math, interaction flags to discuss with a clinician, and a price-tracked stack you can revisit.

Questions

Frequently asked

Each product gets a composite score blending clinical strength, evidence, dose fit, trust and value. The #1 on the DoseRank tab has the highest composite; the other tabs re-rank the same products by Value, Trust, or Popularity. Placement is never paid.

Improve iron status

What this outcome means

Who it's for

Running on emptyFatigue, pallor, or breathlessness that point to depleted iron stores.

Heavy-period monthsMenstrual blood loss that steadily draws iron reserves down.

Plant-based eatersVegetarian or vegan diets that supply iron in less absorbable forms.

Stack buildersAlready taking supplements such as Ferrous Bisglycinate or Ascorbic Acid and want the dose right.

Evidence level

92Strong

Best ingredients

Ferrous Bisglycinate and Ascorbic Acid are the best supported ingredient signals for this outcome.

Dose partly matchedDoseFit 67

Processed

5.2k

Available

5.2k

Ingredients

Brands

431

Coverage

100%

Relevant ingredients

Which ingredient types matter for iron statusOpen to see which ingredient types matter for iron status

696 products across 2 ingredient types — open to filter the ranking.

Use types to filter ranked products

Minerals & Trace Elements

666 products

Inorganic nutrients from calcium to zinc. The chemical form drives absorption – chelates and citrates usually beat cheap oxides.

Typical: , , , ...

Glandulars & Animal-Derived Extracts

30 products

Animal gland and organ-tissue extracts used traditionally for targeted organ support. Purity and grass-fed sourcing are the key quality markers.

Top decision cards

Best products for iron status

Ranking by · Composite outcome score

Best overall — the composite outcome score.

Top pick · DoseRank

Why this ranks #1 for iron status

NOW Foods, Iron Complex Caps, 100 Veg Capsules

NOW Foods$0.09 / serving4.8 · 5,063Available now

Also helps with

Hemoglobin

Ferritin

Vitamin C status

Why this ranks here

Evidence fitFerrous Bisglycinate and Ascorbic Acid are the strongest evidence signals for this outcome.
Dose fit1 of 2 dosed ingredients land in the studied range. Ferrous Bisglycinate at 27 mg lands inside the studied 15-120 mg window.
Price / serving$0.09 per serving — low price tier for this outcome.
AvailabilityIn stock across major retailers; 99% availability confidence.
TrustStrong trust signals — consistently high marks from verified buyer ratings.

The numbers

27 mgIn rangeinside the studied 15-120 mg window

70 mgBelow rangebelow the studied 100-500 mg window

50 mg

50 mcg

Compare top 3 Product data Open at retailer

The rest of the ranking · DoseRank

Top 10 ranked products

California Gold Nutrition, Ferrochel® Iron (Bisglycinate), 36 mg, 90 Veggie Capsules

California Gold NutritionClinical89Dose fit71Popularity99$0.08/ serving

Doctor's Best, High Absorption Iron, 27 mg, 120 Tablets

Doctor's BestClinical89Dose fit69Popularity98$0.07/ serving

NOW Foods, Iron, 36 mg, 90 Veg Capsules

NOW FoodsClinical89Dose fit71Popularity99$0.10/ serving

Solgar, Chelated Iron, 100 Tablets (25 mg per Tablet)

SolgarClinical89Dose fit69Popularity96$0.08/ serving

Solgar, Gentle Iron®, 25 mg, 180 Vegetable Capsules

SolgarClinical89Dose fit69Popularity98$0.08/ serving

NOW Foods, Iron, 18 mg, 120 Veg Capsules

NOW FoodsClinical89Dose fit67Popularity99$0.07/ serving

Source Naturals, Advanced Ferrochel™, 180 Tablets

Source NaturalsClinical89Dose fit68Popularity84$0.06/ serving

Nature's Bounty, Gentle Iron®, 90 Capsules

Nature's BountyClinical89Dose fit68Popularity84$0.09/ serving

21st Century, Iron, 65 mg, 120 Tablets

21st CenturyClinical88Dose fit67Popularity99$0.04/ serving