Thorne Basic Prenatal Review 2026: People whose clinician wants higher iron and who prefer active folate forms
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Our verdict
Thorne Basic Prenatal scores 7.2/10 in our 2026 prenatal vitamin ranking, and Firsthand earns nothing on it. It appears in NSF's NSF/ANSI 173 listings, Thorne also states NSF Certified for Sport, and the label is fully disclosed. The formula includes 150 mcg of iodine, which the American Thyroid Association advises in pregnancy, 110 mg of choline, and folate as 5-MTHF, at $37 for a 30-day supply. Two points pull the score down. First, it has 45 mg of iron per serving, the same as the adult upper limit and well above the 27 mg pregnancy RDA, which may suit someone a clinician has told to take more iron but is more than many people need. Second, there is no DHA, so you would buy it separately. USPSTF's folic acid advice is based on folic acid itself, so confirm with your clinician that 5-MTHF fits your plan. It suits people under clinical guidance who want a clean, tested label.
Score breakdown
- Safety (30%)7.5/10
- Evidence (30%)7.0/10
- Cost & Value (20%)7.0/10
- Transparency (10%)8.5/10
- Support (10%)6.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: People whose clinician wants higher iron and who prefer active folate forms.
Pricing
$37 per 90 capsules (30 days), about $1.23/day (as of 2026-10-02)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Prenatal, 90 capsules | $37 | Official price; 30 servings of 3 capsules |
| Prenatal DHA (separate) | Confirm on official site | Not included in Basic Prenatal |
What the evidence says
- NSF's NSF/ANSI 173 listings include Thorne Basic Prenatal (3 capsules) and Thorne Prenatal DHA (2 gelcaps). (NSF Listings: NSF/ANSI 173 dietary supplements matching 'prenatal')
- NIH's label database lists Thorne Basic Prenatal (3 capsules) at 45 mg iron, 150 mcg iodine, 110 mg choline, 1.7 mg DFE folate and 25 mcg vitamin D. (NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD), Thorne Basic Prenatal label 328830)
- The adult Tolerable Upper Intake Level for iron is 45 mg, and the pregnancy RDA is 27 mg. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals)
- The American Thyroid Association recommends 150 mcg/day of iodine as potassium iodide for people planning pregnancy, pregnant or lactating; not all prenatal supplements contain iodine. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Iodine Fact Sheet for Health Professionals)
Pros & cons
Pros
- Listed by NSF under NSF/ANSI 173, and Thorne also states NSF Certified for Sport
- Includes iodine (150 mcg) and choline (110 mg), which many prenatals skip
- Uses chelated iron and active folate (5-MTHF), a full mineral panel, and no gluten, dairy or soy
- Clear label with every amount listed, no proprietary blend
Cons & red flags
- Iron is 45 mg per serving, which equals the adult upper limit; ask your clinician whether you need that much
- No DHA; Thorne sells it separately as Prenatal DHA
- Three capsules a day, and choline at 110 mg is far below the 450 mg pregnancy intake level
- We found no return policy on the product page
How it compares
Thorne Basic Prenatal scores 7.2/10 in our women's health evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best Prenatal Vitamins of 2026.
- TheraNatal Complete Prenatal Vitamin review — 7.7/10, people who want one nsf-certified pack that includes iron, iodine, dha and choline
- OLLY Ultra Strength Prenatal Softgels review — 7.0/10, budget buyers whose clinician has said they do not need extra iron
Frequently asked questions
Is Thorne Basic Prenatal NSF certified?
NSF's NSF/ANSI 173 listings include Thorne Basic Prenatal at a 3-capsule serving, and Thorne's product page states NSF Certified for Sport.
Is 45 mg of iron too much?
It equals the 45 mg adult upper limit set for iron, and the pregnancy RDA is 27 mg. Some people need more iron, but that is a call for your clinician based on your blood work.
Does it include DHA?
No. Thorne sells DHA separately as Prenatal DHA.
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