Iron(II) gluconate, or ferrous gluconate, is a black compound often used as an iron supplement. It is the iron(II) salt of
gluconic acid. It is marketed under brand names such as ''Fergon'', ''Ferralet'' and ''Simron''.
Uses
Medical
Ferrous gluconate is effectively used in the treatment of
hypochromic anemia
Hypochromic anemia is a generic term for any type of anemia in which the red blood cells are paler than normal. (''Hypo''- refers to ''less'', and ''chromic'' means ''colour''.) A normal red blood cell has a biconcave disk shape and will have an a ...
. The use of this compound compared with other
iron
Iron () is a chemical element with Symbol (chemistry), symbol Fe (from la, Wikt:ferrum, ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 element, group 8 of the periodic table. It is, Abundanc ...
preparations results in satisfactory
reticulocyte
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (RBCs). In the process of erythropoiesis (red blood cell formation), reticulocytes develop and mature in the bone marrow and then circulate for about a day in the blood stream before developing into ma ...
responses, a high percentage utilization of iron, and daily increase in
hemoglobin
Hemoglobin (haemoglobin BrE) (from the Greek word αἷμα, ''haîma'' 'blood' + Latin ''globus'' 'ball, sphere' + ''-in'') (), abbreviated Hb or Hgb, is the iron-containing oxygen-transport metalloprotein present in red blood cells (erythrocyt ...
that a normal level occurs in a reasonably short time.
Food additive
Ferrous gluconate is also used as a
food additive when processing black
olives. It is represented by the food labeling
E number E579 in Europe. It imparts a uniform jet black color to the olives.
Toxicity
Ferrous gluconate may be
toxic
Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a subs ...
in case of overdose. Children may show signs of toxicity with ingestions of 10–20 mg/kg of elemental iron. Serious toxicity may result from ingestions of more than 60 mg/kg. Iron exerts both local and systemic effects: it is corrosive to the gastrointestinal
mucosa, it can have a negative impact on the heart and blood (
dehydration
In physiology, dehydration is a lack of total body water, with an accompanying disruption of metabolic processes. It occurs when free water loss exceeds free water intake, usually due to exercise, disease, or high environmental temperature. Mil ...
, low
blood pressure, fast and weak pulse,
shock
Shock may refer to:
Common uses Collective noun
*Shock, a historic commercial term for a group of 60, see English numerals#Special names
* Stook, or shock of grain, stacked sheaves
Healthcare
* Shock (circulatory), circulatory medical emergen ...
), lungs, liver, gastrointestinal system (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting blood), nervous system (chills, dizziness,
coma, convulsions, headache), and skin (flushing, loss of color, bluish-colored lips and fingernails).
Iron overdose
/ref> The symptoms may disappear in a few hours, but then emerge again after 1 or more days.
See also
* Acceptable daily intake
*Iron poisoning
Iron poisoning typically occurs from ingestion of excess iron that results in acute toxicity. Mild symptoms which occur within hours include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and drowsiness. In more severe cases, symptoms can include tachypnea, l ...
References
{{Antianemic preparations
Color fixers
Food additives
Iron(II) compounds
E-number additives