The short answer
Not known in people. We found no study of shilajit taken with iron tablets. In a 91-day rat study from Andhra Pradesh, black shilajit changed iron levels in the liver at the highest dose, but not in the other organs tested. No iron supplement was given alongside it.
The study's authors describe black shilajit as a supplement used for iron-deficiency anaemia, so taking it with iron tablets could add to the iron you get. Nobody has measured how much. If you take iron, tell your prescribing doctor before you start shilajit, and ask whether your haemoglobin and ferritin should be rechecked.
Iron tablets sold in India include Orofer XT (ferrous ascorbate with folic acid).
At a glance
| What was seen | How it may work | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changed liver iron in rats at the highest dose only[1] | Extra mineral intake from shilajit; product dependent | Could add to iron from tablets; not measured in people | Animal |
| Thallium in raw shilajit and supplements[2] | Contamination, not an interaction | Exposure to a toxic metal | In vitro |
No listing is not a clearance. A missing interaction here never means a combination is safe.
The evidence, study by study
Rat study, Madanapalle, 2012 Animal
Four groups of albino rats were given the vehicle alone (the carrier, without shilajit), or black shilajit at 500, 2,500 or 5,000 mg per kg of body weight, for 91 days. Iron levels in the organs did not differ from the vehicle-only rats, except in the liver at the top dose, where the liver and intestine also showed negligible changes under the microscope. The abstract gives no iron figures or rat numbers. The rats got no iron tablets, so the study says nothing directly about the combination.[1]
Lab analysis of shilajit products, Iran, Slovakia and Poland, 2025 In vitro
Chemists found thallium, a toxic metal, in most of the raw shilajit and supplements they tested, at up to 0.095 micrograms per tablet. The raw samples came from Iran, India, Nepal, Russia and Kyrgyzstan, and the supplements were bought in Poland, Russia and Kyrgyzstan, none of them Indian brands. It is a reminder that shilajit is a mineral material whose make-up varies from batch to batch.[2]
What your doctor may watch for
- Haemoglobin, ferritin and other iron tests, as your doctor decides. Mention it if you have ever been told you have too much iron in your body.
What to tell your prescribing doctor
You can read this out, or show them this page:
“I am taking, or planning to take, shilajit (name of product, batch, dose) along with my iron tablets. A rat study suggests shilajit can change iron levels in the liver. Should my iron tests be rechecked?”
Withheld until review
Questions people ask
Does shilajit contain iron?
None of the studies we reviewed measured how much iron a shilajit product contains. The 2012 rat study's authors describe black shilajit as a supplement for iron-deficiency anaemia, and the top dose changed liver iron in their rats.[1]
Can shilajit replace my iron tablets?
We found no study in people that compared them. Iron prescribed for anaemia is something to change only with the doctor who prescribed it, who can see your blood tests.[1]
Related
Shilajit and metformin
Not studied in people. We found no human study of shilajit with metformin, and the one rat study could not be checked. Shilajit quality also varies.
InteractionTurmeric and iron supplements
A man on high-dose turmeric stayed anaemic on iron until he stopped it. A one-dose curcumin trial found no drop in iron absorption.
InteractionAmla and iron tablets
Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, so amla could in theory help an iron tablet. We found no study of amla with an iron tablet.
Sources
- Velmurugan C, Vivek B, Wilson E, Bharathi T, Sundaram T. Evaluation of safety profile of black shilajit after 91 days repeated administration in rats. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2012;2:210-214. PMID 23569899.
- Kamgar E, Zembrzuska J, Zembrzuski W, Kaykhaii M. Quantifying of thallium in Shilajit and its supplements to unveil the potential risk of consumption of this popular traditional medicine. BMC Chem. 2025;19:20. PMID 39827344.
Updated 4 November 2026
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