Do Women over 50 Need an Iron Supplement?

Given that iron can build up in the body, whether women over 50 need an iron supplement is best determined by having blood levels of iron measured by a doctor. But generally, women who are postmenopausal are not at risk of iron deficiency.

Women over 50 are not menstruating and thus losing iron in the blood monthly. However, in some circumstances, if women suffer from renal failure, or a gastrointestinal illness that means they are not absorbing enough iron, they may need an iron supplement.

Again, consult with a doctor if you fall into this category before taking an iron supplement, because iron is not lost easily from the body. Some is lost through perspiration but mostly it is depleted through the blood, in some form of bleeding.

The type of iron sources you're consuming may be an issue if you are a vegetarian. Nonheme iron, the type that is in vegetables, is not absorbed as easily as iron from animal sources. Taking something rich in vitamin c with it will help with absorption. But vegan vegetarians may need to eat twice as much foods containing iron than non vegetarians.

If your doctor suggests an iron supplement, it is better to split the daily dose and take it 2 to 3 times a day rather than all at once.