We are comparing the absorption of 4 similar Iron products.

Product A contains 20 mg of iron as a liquid

Product B contains 20 mg of iron as a liquid with absorption enhancements

Product C contains 100 mg of iron as a liquid

Product D contains 20 mg of iron as a powder with absorption enhancements

This study will be comparing how fast and how much iron is absorbed over a 10-hour period. During your participation you will be given Products A, B, C and D with 2-weeks between each dose.

The products are in capsule or liquid (10 mL) form, and you would be required to take a single dose of 20 or 100 mg 2-weeks apart. If you have trouble swallowing tablets or capsules, this study may not be suitable for you.

As this study is assessing absorption, it is important that participants have not been taking iron supplements in the lead up to the study for at least 4-weeks. This is to ensure that all participants have similar baseline (starting) levels.

The study arm you are involved in will involve approximately 15 men and women in a cross-over absorption study. This means that 15 people will first take Product A, Product B, Product C or Product D and then the same 15 people will return 2 weeks later to take a second alternate product, and then the same 15 people will return a further 2 weeks later again to take a third alternate product and finally, then the same 15 people will return 2 weeks later again to take a fourth alternate product.

Your individual results from each Product A, B, C and D will be compared to the absorption of each other.

In order to measure absorption, several blood samples will be taken over the course of the study period. But do not worry about multiple ‘needle pricks’; a cannula will be placed in your arm at the start of each Day 1 visit.

A small amount of blood will be drawn at baseline and then regular draws taken throughout Day 1. The cannula will be removed at the end of Day 1 for you to return home.

You will then return to our clinic the following 2 mornings (Day 2 and 3) for a single blood draw (24 and 48-hours after baseline) via a needle.

There is 1 Study Program available:

Please note that you will need to attend all 4 rounds.

Study Program Dates:

Round 1

• • Tuesday November 18th Day 1 : 6:30am to approximately 6.00pm
  • Wednesday November 19th Day 2 : Approximately 30 minutes (between 6.30am and 8.30am)
  • Thursday November 20th Day 3 : Approximately 30 minutes (between 6.30am and 8.30am)

Round 2

• • Tuesday December 2nd Day 1 : 6:30am to approximately 6.00pm
  • Wednesday December 3rd Day 2 : Approximately 30 minutes (between 6.30am and 8.30am)
  • Thursday December 4th Day 3 : Approximately 30 minutes (between 6.30am and 8.30am)

Round 3

• • Tuesday December 16th Day 1 : 6:30am to approximately 6.00pm
  • Wednesday December 17th Day 2 : Approximately 30 minutes (between 6.30am and 8.30am)
  • Thursday December 18th Day 3 : Approximately 30 minutes (between 6.30am and 8.30am)

Round 4

• • Tuesday January 6th Day 1 : 6:30am to approximately 6.00pm
  • Wednesday January 7th Day 2 : Approximately 30 minutes (between 6.30am and 8.30am)
  • Thursday January 8th Day 3 : Approximately 30 minutes (between 6.30am and 8.30am)

During each Day 1, while you are in attendance at our clinic, we will provide meals and snacks throughout the day

Our clinic is equipped with fast Wifi so we encourage you to bring your device / laptop with you to work, study or stream your favourite shows (headphones please!).

Please register your interest by answering the questionnaire and completing the form on this page…we’ll then get in touch to screen you for suitability.

• Aged over 18 years old
• Have no history of issues with blood draws or cannulation
• Able to swallow tablets/capsules
• A non-smoker
• BMI between 18.5-34.9
• Not currently taking Iron supplements
• Generally healthy and free of any significant medical conditions
• Not taking any long term prescription medications
• Able to attend for an entire Study Program 

At the conclusion of your participation you will be eligible to receive a payment of up to $1000. This will be transferred into your preferred bank account within 2 business days.

This study is being conducted in collaboration with The University of Queensland and has been approved by The University of Queensland Ethics Committee under Approval Number 2024/HE000071. The Principal Investigator is Dr David Briskey (PhD), Research Fellow (UQ).

As with all of our studies, data and results are all deidentified to ensure your privacy.

Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF)

Prior providing your consent to participate in this study you will receive a copy of the Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF). This document is approved by the ethics committee and contains further information about the study. Your written consent is required prior to your participation in this study.