He said if I didn't have this kind of iron, it could cause physical problems. He also told me that you could not get this kind of iron from a multivitamin. There is no cause for alarm. Heme and non-heme refer to absorbability, not quality of iron. Iron absorption depends in part on its source.
Iron occurs in two forms in food.
Heme iron is found in foods derived from animals, such as red meat, poultry and fish. Between 2 percent and 20 percent of non-heme iron is absorbed, depending on dietary factors and the body's iron stores. So, if you are a vegetarian, you still get iron from your food, but it is absorbed less readily. If you need it, your body can absorb a multivitamin or iron tablet. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.