Assessing the Immediate Increase in Serum Ferritin After Oral Iron Doses: an Experimental Study in Iron-deficient Women

Launched by SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · Feb 24, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how taking oral iron supplements affects a specific blood marker called serum ferritin in women who are low in iron but do not have anemia. Serum ferritin helps doctors understand how much iron is stored in the body. The researchers want to see how quickly and for how long the levels of this marker increase after women take daily iron for two months. This information is important because it may help improve how doctors monitor and treat iron deficiency.

To be eligible for the study, participants should be women aged 18 to 45 who have low iron stores (a serum ferritin level of less than 30 µg/L) but are otherwise healthy, without anemia or inflammation. They should also have a normal body weight. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain health conditions or have taken specific medications recently will not be able to participate. Those who join the study can expect to take iron supplements daily and provide blood samples to help track changes in their iron levels throughout the trial.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Low iron stores (SF levels \< 30 µg/L),
• • no anemia (Hb \> 120 g/L)
• • no inflammation (CRP \< 5 mg/L)
• • 18 to 45 years old.
• • Body weight \<70 kg
• • Normal body Mass Index (18.5-26.5 kg/m2)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any chronic or acute disease
• • Consumption of mineral and vitamin supplements since screening and over the study period
• • Blood transfusion, blood donation or significant blood loss over the past 4 months,
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding,
• • Continuous/long-term use of medication during the whole studies (except for contraceptives)
• • Therapeutic iron infusion over the past 6 months,
• • Known hypersensitivity or allergy to iron supplements,
• • Intention to become pregnant over the course of the study