Who is this check for? For me as an adult, not pregnant and not in the postpartum period For a child / adolescent, or during pregnancy / the postpartum period
Do you have acute symptoms or unusual bleeding? Sudden breathlessness, chest pain, fainting or heavy bleeding with circulatory problems Unusual bleeding, tar-like sticky stool or unusually severe symptoms None of these
Are you already taking oral iron? Yes No
Has iron deficiency been confirmed by a clinician? Yes No or not sure
Which preparation do you take? A traditional ferrous salt, e.g. ferrous sulfate / ferrous fumarate Iron bisglycinate Liposomal or sucrosomial iron Another preparation or unclear
How much elemental iron do you take per dose? Less than 60 mg 60 mg or more Unknown; I only know the amount on the packaging
How often do you take iron? Every other day Once daily Several times daily Another schedule / not sure
When do you take iron in relation to meals? This guidance mainly concerns traditional iron salts. Consider product instructions and tolerability.
In the morning, at least 30 minutes before breakfast In the evening, at least 2–3 hours after the last meal At another time, at least 2 hours after food and at least 30 minutes before the next meal Less than 30 minutes before food or less than 2 hours afterwards With a meal / immediately afterwards Variable or unclear
What occurs close to your iron intake? You can select several answers. Leave blank if none apply.
Coffee or tea within about 2 hours Dairy products or calcium supplements within about 2 hours Magnesium, zinc supplements or antacids within about 2 hours Levothyroxine or certain antibiotics without an agreed spacing plan I take an acid suppressant / proton pump inhibitor
Do you take vitamin C with iron? Yes, e.g. a vitamin C-containing drink or supplement No Not sure
How regularly do you manage to take it? As agreed, with almost no missed doses I often forget doses or take breaks I have stopped because of symptoms
How well do you tolerate the tablets? Well, or only mild, manageable symptoms Nausea, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea are troublesome Unclear
How long have you been taking treatment? Less than 4 weeks For 4 to 8 weeks More than 8 weeks Unclear
How have your results changed? Ferritin is not increasing on follow-up testing Ferritin or Hb is improving No comparable follow-up test yet / not known
Could any additional causes play a role? You can select several answers. Leave blank if none apply.
Ongoing heavy bleeding Chronic inflammation / a relevant underlying condition Coeliac disease or another absorption disorder Gastrointestinal surgery / bariatric surgery