Can Iron Be Absorbed Through the Skin?

Summary

• More people are asking Google whether iron can be absorbed through the skin and whether iron patches are effective.
• Two studies have tested iron-containing patches in people:
  • In runners, a patch containing only iron, without vitamin C, didn't increase their iron levels.
  • Among individuals who had undergone weight-loss surgery, a patch containing iron, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 produced a clear increase in blood iron levels over one year.
• Vitamin C matters. It's one of the best-known aids to iron absorption.
• Our Iron Patches combine iron bisglycinate with vitamins C and B12 and are worn for 24 to 48 hours.
• Three customers have reported elevated iron levels in their blood tests, while many have reported no stomach discomfort.

In depth

This section provides a closer look at how iron enters the body, what the studies indicate, why vitamin C matters, how our Iron Patches are made, and what our customers report.

How iron gets into the body

• Iron is typically absorbed into the body through the gastrointestinal tract. After an iron tablet is swallowed, specialised transport proteins in the lining of the small intestine absorb a portion of the iron and transport it into the bloodstream.
• Another protein then transports it throughout the body to the areas where it is needed, such as the bone marrow, where it supports red blood cell production.

But for most people, only a small part of that iron gets in:

• Only about a fifth of the iron in a tablet is absorbed. From an 80 mg dose, only about 15 mg gets in.
• After a tablet, the body makes a natural hormone that blocks more iron from getting in, and it stays high for about a day.
• The rest of the iron stays in the gut, which is why tablets can cause nausea, cramps and constipation. We explain this in our blog post on why iron tablets make you sick.

The same iron transport proteins are also found in the skin.

What the studies show

Only two studies have evaluated iron-containing patches in human participants.

• Runners: A total of 28 runners participated, half of whom wore an iron patch for eight hours each night over eight weeks. The patch contained iron only: 45 mg of iron bisglycinate, with no vitamin C or B12. Their iron levels did not increase. Runners taking tablets also received 500 mg of vitamin C with their iron, and their iron levels increased. The patch group reported no gastrointestinal complaints, whereas several members of the tablet group did; one runner discontinued the tablets because of these complaints.
• Following weight-loss surgery, 92 individuals wore a multivitamin patch containing iron bisglycinate, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 for eight hours daily over the course of one year. Their blood iron levels increased by approximately 24%.
• This suggests that vitamin C may make a difference. The second study had no comparison group, so it cannot establish that the iron was absorbed through the skin; however, the findings are encouraging.

Why vitamin C matters

• Higher vitamin C intake was associated with greater iron absorption. Research found that the amount of iron absorbed increased as more vitamin C was added to a meal. An addition of 25 mg of vitamin C increased iron absorption by approximately two-thirds, while 1,000 mg increased it by more than ninefold.
• It helps mitigate absorption barriers: vitamin C can counteract naturally occurring compounds in grains and beans that inhibit iron absorption.
• Vitamin C also helps the body's cells absorb and store iron beyond the gut.
• That's why we included vitamin C in every one of our Iron Patches.

How our Iron Patches are made

• 50 mg of iron in the form of iron bisglycinate. Research has also shown that this form of iron was 64% less likely to cause gastrointestinal discomfort than other forms. Although those trials used tablets, their findings help explain why we selected this form.
• 100 mg of vitamin C to support iron absorption, as indicated above.
• 1,200 mcg of vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin, which your body requires, together with iron, to produce healthy red blood cells.
• Worn for a period of 24 to 48 hours.

What our customers say

• Blood tests: Three customers have reported increased iron levels in their blood tests, most recently last month. One customer stated that blood tests had demonstrated the effectiveness of the patches.
• Compared with tablets, this option is more convenient to use. Many people report that it does not cause stomach upset, constipation, or nausea. They also appreciate not having to swallow an additional pill.
• Easy for children: Parents report that the patches offer a convenient way to help children who have difficulty swallowing tablets obtain iron.
• Increased energy: Several individuals have reported experiencing higher energy levels.

Everyone is different; if you are uncertain, please consult your doctor.

Worth a try

If you are uncertain, consider giving them a try. If you are experiencing significant difficulty with your iron levels, it may be worthwhile to try them and assess how you respond.

And if money's tight right now, our Black Friday sale is on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November, with 50% off all our patches. It's a great time to pick some up and try them for yourself.

References

McCormick R, Dawson B, Sim M, Lester L, Goodman C, Peeling P. The effectiveness of transdermal iron patches in athletes with suboptimal iron status (Part 1). International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2020;30(3):185 to 190.

Culpepper T, Lux T, Trivedi S, et al. Prevalence of postoperative micronutrient deficiencies in bariatric surgery patients who use transdermal patches for supplementation: a pilot study. Cureus. 2022;14(6):e25989.

Cook JD, Monsen ER. Vitamin C, the common cold, and iron absorption. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1977;30(2):235 to 241.