How much iron do adults need at each life stage?

Your nutritional needs change at each life stage, meaning you may need to adjust your diet to get the right amount of iron. Read on to find out how much iron you need according to your age, gender and pregnancy status.

How much iron a day?

The recommended dietary intakes listed below are compiled by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC):1

Women:

Aged 14-18: 15mg per day

Aged 19-50: 18mg per day

Aged 51+: 8mg per day

Pregnant women:

All age groups: 27mg per day

Men:

Aged 14-18: 15mg per day

Aged 19+: 8mg per day

The list below gives you an idea of the iron content of different foods.2,3

  • 100g of beef contains 3.5mg of iron
  • 100g of tofu contains 3.1mg of iron
  • 100g of lamb contains 2.5mg of iron
  • 100g of salmon contains 1.3mg of iron
  • 100g of tinned tuna contains 1.1mg of iron
  • 30g of iron-fortified breakfast cereal contains 3.2-4.2mg of iron
  • 1 cup of green lentils or kidney beans contains 3mg of iron
  • 1 cup of chickpeas has 2.7mg of iron
  • 1 cup of cooked wholemeal pasta contains 2.3gmg of iron

How much of the iron you eat do you actually absorb

People who eat a mixed western diet that includes foods from animal sources absorb about 18% of the iron they consume. Those on a vegetarian diet absorb about 10% of the iron they consume.1
Click here to read how vegetarians and vegans meet their iron needs
Dietary iron comes in two forms: haem and non-haem. Haem iron is present in animal foods and is absorbed more easily than non-haem iron, which is found in plant foods.4
Meat is a rich source of haem iron. The redder the meat, the higher the iron content.
Rich sources of non-haem iron include eggs, nuts, wholemeal pasta and bread, iron-fortified breakfast cereal, dried beans and lentils and leafy green vegetables. It is easier to absorb non-haem iron when it is eaten together with haem iron.4

Three causes of iron deficiency4

Iron deficiency is common among Australians. It can develop gradually, and the symptoms may be so mild you may not even know you have it at first.
Deficiency occurs when your iron needs are not met by the iron you absorb. These are three common circumstances leading to this imbalance between the iron you need and the iron you absorb:

  • Excess iron loss, for example, through menstruation.
  • Inadequate iron in your diet.
  • Poor absorption of iron because of a medical condition, such as untreated coeliac disease.

Which adults are at most risk of iron deficiency?4

Those most at risk of iron deficiency in Australia may include:

  • Adolescent girls and women of child-bearing age
  • Pregnant women
  • Athletes
  • Vegans and vegetarians
  • Blood donors

Click here to read more about people at risk of iron deficiency

Your GP can help

See a GP if you are worried about iron deficiency. They may arrange a simple blood test to check your iron levels. If you are iron deficient, they may speak to you about eating a diet with enough iron to prevent iron deficiency. They may also recommend a therapeutic oral iron supplement, like Ferro-grad C®.

Check out Why Ferro-grad C® is a first-line treatment for iron deficiency

References:

  1. NHRC. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. 2014
  2. Dietitians Australia. Nourishing Nutrients, Anaemia: my doctor says I need more iron.
  3. Nutrition Australia. Iron Fact Sheet (2013).
  4. Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA). October 2015.

FGC-2022-0020. February 2022

#Most widely used brand of therapeutic oral iron supplement, based on cumulative total of IQVIA sales data in the last 10 years.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
For use when you have been diagnosed as iron deficient and your doctor has recommended a therapeutic oral iron supplement.

Ferro-grad C contains ferrous sulfate 325 mg (equivalent to 105 mg elemental iron) and sodium ascorbate 562.4 mg (equivalent to 500 mg Vitamin C).

Ferro-grad C is a Viatris trademark. Copyright © 2022 Viatris Inc. All rights reserved. Viatris Pty Ltd. Level 1, 30-34 Hickson Road, Millers Point NSW 2000. Tel 1800 314 527. FGC-2022-0047. Prepared April 2022.