SleepCited

Iron for Restless Leg Syndrome

A Strong

Based on 51 studies (2 meta-analyses) with 20,577 total participants. Results are mixed across studies.

Key Statistics

51

Studies

20577

Participants

↔

Mixed

A Strong

Grade

Referenced Papers

[Restless leg syndrome. Diagnosis and treatment]. Review
Revista de neurologia None 8 citations
Restless Leg Syndrome and Association with Serum NT Pro-CNP. Other
Neurology India 2026
Integrative sleep management: from molecular pathways to conventional and herbal treatments. Review
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of … 2025 4 citations
Iron Metabolism and the Role of Iron Therapy in Pediatric Restless Leg Syndrome. Review
Sleep medicine clinics 2025 2 citations
Optimizing Restless Legs Syndrome Care: Integrating Rehabilitation into Multimodal Management. Review
JPMA. The Journal … 2025
Restless Leg Syndrome and Pregnancy. Review
Southern medical journal 2025
[Restless Legs Syndrome]. Review
Brain and nerve … 2025
Efficacy and safety of iron supplements for restless leg syndrome, a systematic review, meta-analysis, meta-regression, and trial sequential analysis of … Other
Proceedings (Baylor University. … 2025
Prevalence of Restless Leg Syndrome and Its Association With Iron Deficiency in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Observational … Other
Cureus 2025
Clinical feature and alpha-synuclein level of restless legs syndrome with leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 encoding gene mutation. Other
Parkinsonism & related … 2025
Iron Deficiency and Restless Sleep/Wake Behaviors in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Mental Health Conditions. Other
Nutrients 2024 7 citations
Brain Iron Dysregulation in Iron Deficiency Anemia-Related Restless Leg Syndrome Revealed by Neuron-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Case-Control Study. Other
Annals of neurology 2024 3 citations
Iron deficiency-related symptoms in non-anemic whole blood donors. Other
Transfusion 2024 2 citations
Clinical efficacy and safety of IV ferric carboxymaltose in restless legs syndrome: A meta-analysis of 537 patients. Meta-Analysis
Sleep medicine 2024 1 citations
Sleep-related disorders in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension. Review
Sleep medicine reviews 2024
Intersecting Pathways: Treating Cocaine Withdrawal and Restless Leg Syndrome with Iron and Buproprion. Case Report
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) 2024
Restless Legs Syndrome in Chronic Kidney Disease- a Systematic Review. Systematic Review
Tremor and other … 2023 32 citations
Restless leg syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease: a hospital-based study from Upper Egypt. Other
The International journal … 2023 14 citations
The genetic etiology of periodic limb movement in sleep. Meta-Analysis
Sleep 2023 8 citations
Effectiveness of exercise and pramipexole in the treatment of restless leg syndrome: Implications on the dopaminergic system and PTPRD. Other
Sleep medicine 2023 3 citations
The Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome Among Pregnant Women in Saudi Arabia. Other
Cureus 2023 3 citations
The incidence, complications, and treatment of iron deficiency in pregnancy. Review
European journal of … 2022 109 citations
Restless legs syndrome: An overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review). Review
Experimental and therapeutic … 2022 60 citations
Exploration of restless legs syndrome under the new concept: A review. Review
Medicine 2022 15 citations
Behavioral sleep medicine-The need for harmonization of clinical best practice outcome measures in children and adolescents with intellectual or developmental … Review
Frontiers in psychiatry 2022 8 citations
Does Dexmedetomidine Improve or Worsen Restless Leg Syndrome under Sedation: A Case Report and Extensive Review. Case Report
Case reports in … 2022 3 citations
Restless Leg Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients: A Narrative Review. Review
The neurologist 2022 3 citations
Restless Leg Syndrome and Sleep Disorders in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Relation with Anemia Parameters. Other
Acta medica (Hradec … 2021 13 citations
Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations in Restless Legs Syndrome Complicated by Diabetic Neuropathy. Review
Current diabetes reports 2021 5 citations
The role of iron repletion in adult iron deficiency anemia and other diseases. Review
European journal of … 2020 137 citations
Unraveling the Mysteries of Restless Leg Syndrome. Review
Cureus 2020 5 citations
Neurologic conditions and disorders of uremic syndrome of chronic kidney disease: presentations, causes, and treatment strategies. Review
Expert review of … 2019 123 citations
Restless legs syndrome and iron deficiency in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Other
Sleep 2019 33 citations
Restless leg syndrome in chronic hemodialysis patients in Mashhad hemodialysis centers. Other
Journal of renal … 2017 26 citations
Insomnia and Restless Leg Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis in Rafsanjan Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital. Other
Nephro-urology monthly 2016 21 citations
Importance of donor history of restless leg syndrome and pica to asses iron deficiency. Other
Transfusion and apheresis … 2016 10 citations
Restless Leg Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease in women with iron deficiency anemia. Other
Ideggyogyaszati szemle 2016 6 citations
Predictive factors of restless leg syndrome in hemodialysis patients. Other
Journal of renal … 2016 2 citations
Trichotillomania: Bizzare Patern of Hair Loss at 11-Year-old Girl. Case Report
Acta dermatovenerologica Croatica … 2016
Asthma as a disruption in iron homeostasis. Review
Biometals : an … 2016
Restless Leg Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease Pathophysiology. Review
Sleep medicine clinics 2015 158 citations
Response to intravenous iron in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and restless leg syndrome (Willis-Ekbom disease). Other
Sleep medicine 2014 58 citations
Disorders of heavy metals. Review
Handbook of clinical … 2014 52 citations
Restless leg syndrome: a neglected diagnosis. Review
Nephro-urology monthly 2014 43 citations
New treatment options for the management of restless leg syndrome. Review
The Journal of … 2014 7 citations
ADMET considerations for restless leg syndrome drug treatments. Review
Expert opinion on … 2012 6 citations
Iron deficiency: beyond anemia. Review
Indian journal of … 2011 75 citations
Hyperferritinemia in autoimmunity. Review
The Israel Medical … 2008 61 citations
Nonhematological benefits of iron. Review
American journal of … 2007 61 citations
Iron, brain and restless legs syndrome. Other
Sleep medicine reviews 2001 48 citations
The restless leg syndrome. Other
Canadian Medical Association … 1967

Dosage & Usage

Commonly Used Dosages

rls:
65 mg elemental iron if ferritin <75
general:
18 mg/day (women)

Upper limit: 45 mg/day

Dosages Studied in Research

Dosage Durata Effect N
various -- Positive --
None -- Positive 90
None -- Positive --
None -- Positive 150
None -- Positive 586
iron supplementation, folate, dopamine agonists (non-pharmacological and pharmacological) -- Positive --
dopamine agonists, iron supplementation, alpha-2-delta ligands -- Positive --
None -- Neutral --

Best taken: On an empty stomach with vitamin C; take in the morning, not before bed

Safety & Side Effects

Reported Side Effects

  • ⚠ Constipation
  • ⚠ Nausea
  • ⚠ Stomach pain
  • ⚠ Dark stools
  • ⚠ Iron overload risk (hemochromatosis)

Known Interactions

  • ● Antacids and PPIs — reduce iron absorption
  • ● Levothyroxine — iron reduces thyroid medication absorption
  • ● Antibiotics (tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones) — mutual absorption reduction
  • ● Calcium supplements — take separately by 2 hours

Tolerable upper intake: 45 mg/day

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Iron help with Restless Leg Syndrome?
Based on 51 studies with 20,577 participants, there is strong evidence from multiple clinical trials that Iron may support Restless Leg Syndrome management. Our evidence grade is A (Strong).
How much Iron should I take for Restless Leg Syndrome?
Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 65 mg elemental iron if ferritin <75. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
Are there side effects of Iron?
Reported side effects may include Constipation, Nausea, Stomach pain, Dark stools. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
How strong is the evidence for Iron and Restless Leg Syndrome?
We rate the evidence as Grade A (Strong). This rating is based on 51 peer-reviewed studies with 20,577 total participants. The overall direction of effect is mixed.

Related Evidence

Other ingredients for Restless Leg Syndrome

Magnesium Glycinate D Preliminary

FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.