Iron Absorption & Ferritin Optimization Protocol

Rice Louis
Dec 30, 2025
3 min read

Rice Louis, NTP

Purpose of This Protocol

Low iron is not simply a matter of iron intake. For iron to improve energy, stamina, and cognitive function, the body must be able to:

Absorb iron efficiently
Transport iron into circulation
Store iron as ferritin
Utilize iron to build healthy red blood cells

This protocol supports each of these physiological steps. For this reason, it is more effective and better tolerated than iron supplementation alone.

Foundation: Iron Intake

Floradix (Liquid Iron)

Floradix provides iron in a gentle, food-based form that is generally better tolerated than conventional iron tablets.

Why Floradix is used

Supports iron intake without excessive gastrointestinal irritation
Less likely to cause constipation or nausea
Appropriate for gradual, sustained repletion

How to take

Take as directed
Avoid coffee, tea, dairy, calcium supplements, and antacids within 1–2 hours of dosing

Floradix serves as the foundation of this protocol.

Essential Cofactors for Iron Absorption

Vitamin C

Vitamin C enhances iron absorption by converting iron into a more absorbable form.

Clinical relevance - Without adequate vitamin C, iron absorption may be significantly reduced.

Use

Taken at the same time as Floradix
Buffered or flavonoid-containing forms are used to improve tolerance

Support for Iron Transport and Storage

Copper

Copper is required to move iron into circulation and to support ferritin (iron storage) formation.

Clinical relevance - When copper is insufficient, iron may not be properly utilized, and ferritin levels may remain low despite supplementation.

Copper is provided in low, supportive doses to maintain mineral balance.

Red Blood Cell Formation Support

Folate and Vitamin B12

Iron initiates red blood cell production. Folate and vitamin B12 are required to complete red blood cell maturation and support oxygen delivery to tissues.

Important clarification, Floradix provides baseline folate and B12 support. Additional folate or B12 is layered only when physiological demand exceeds baseline intake.

These nutrients are added selectively based on symptoms, history, and response.

Absorption Environment Considerations

Iron absorption is influenced by digestive function and supplement timing.

Avoid within 1–2 hours of iron intake

Coffee or tea
Dairy products
Calcium supplements
Antacids
High-dose zinc

Digestive support may be included when signs of impaired absorption are present.

Why Iron Supplementation Often Fails

Iron supplementation frequently fails when taken in isolation due to:

Poor absorption
Impaired transport
Inadequate storage as ferritin
Missing cofactors for red blood cell formation
Stress-related digestive disruption

Increasing iron dose alone does not correct these barriers and may worsen tolerance.

This protocol addresses these limitations directly.

What to Expect

Symptom improvement may begin within 2–4 weeks
Ferritin changes typically require 8–12 weeks
Consistency and timing are more important than dose

Iron repletion is gradual and individualized.

Supplement Access

When you register, all recommended supplements for this protocol are available and discounted through my Fullscript dispensary using the link below.

Fullscript link: https://us.fullscript.com/plans/rlouis1741017352-iron-absorption-ferritin-optimization-protocol

You may choose to implement:

Only the core supplement(s), or
Additional supportive nutrients based on comfort level, budget, and readiness

Layered support is optional and applied selectively.

Understanding Supplement Tiers

Supplements are organized into tiers to allow flexibility and personalization.

Essential (Core Support)

Floradix (liquid iron)
Vitamin C (buffered or flavonoid-containing)

Supportive (Layered Optimization)

Copper (low-dose, food-bound)
Folate (active or food-based, conditional)
Vitamin B12

Supplement selection is individualized and reassessed over time.

Iron functions optimally when absorption, transport, storage, and utilization are supported together. This protocol is designed to address all four processes to support sustainable improvements in energy and overall physiological function.

As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP), my role is to review and consider client-provided lab results for educational and nutritional context, alongside symptom patterns, dietary intake, stress load, and digestive function, in order to inform personalized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. This approach does not involve diagnosing or treating disease, but rather supporting the body’s foundational systems.

This protocol is most effective when implemented with ongoing guidance, personalization, and follow-up, rather than isolated or self-directed adjustments. If you would like professional support tailoring these nutritional strategies to your tolerance, response, and changing needs, or prefer structured oversight as your body adapts, we can discuss options for working together. Continued care allows recommendations to be refined over time to ensure safety, effectiveness, and alignment with your individual physiology.

In health,