Study of How Daily Oral Iron Supplements Affect Serum Ferritin Levels in Iron-deficient Women Aged 18 to 45

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying women with iron deficiency without anemia to understand how daily oral iron doses affect serum ferritin, a key marker of the bodys iron stores. The study focuses on the immediate increase in serum ferritin levels caused by iron supplements and how long this effect lasts during a two-month supplementation period. This research is important because oral iron can temporarily raise ferritin, possibly biasing assessments of iron status during treatment. Participants receive one of two daily doses of ferrous sulfate either 80 mg or 160 mg. Each dose is taken daily for one month, followed by a 7-day break, then resumed for another month, making a total of two months of supplementation. The study is randomized and compares these two dosing schedules to evaluate their effects on serum ferritin levels over time. During the study, participants undergo multiple blood tests to measure serum ferritin, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, and alpha1-acid-glycoprotein at specified days throughout the treatment and break periods. These assessments help monitor iron status, inflammation, and overall health. The primary outcome is serum ferritin measured on days 31, 37, 68, and 74. The study helps clarify how oral iron supplementation influences ferritin measurements, aiding better management of iron deficiency. Participation lasts for about two and a half months including treatment and monitoring.

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