Plasma Iron Tolerance of Ferrous Glycine Sulphate and Ferrous Sulphate in Women

Plasma iron tolerance curves of ferrous glycine sulphate (FGS) tablets containing 60 and 120 mg of elemental iron were compared with similar doses of ferrous sulphate (FS) tablets using a double-blind crossover design in six women volunteers. The plasma iron tolerance curves obtained with both doses of FGS were similar to those of doses of FS. The relative bioavailability of FGS was close to 1, identical to that of FS. Thus tablets containing ferrous glycine sulphate as the source of elemental iron for the prophylaxis of iron deficiency do not offer any advantage over the less expensive and more available ferrous sulphate.