Effectiveness of low-dose iron treatment in non-anaemic iron-deficient women: a prospective open-label single-arm trial

Iron deficiency without anaemia is highly prevalent and is particularly associated with fatigue, cognitive impairment, or poor physical endurance. Standard oral iron therapy often results in intestinal irritation with associated side effects and premature discontinuation of therapy, therefore, optimal oral iron therapy with sufficient iron absorption and minimal side effects is desirable. Thirty-six iron-deficient non-anaemic premenopausal women (serum ferritin ≤30 ng/ml, haemoglobin ≥117 g/l) with normal body mass index (BMI) and no hypermenorrhea received 6 mg of elemental oral iron (corresponding to 18.6 mg ferrous sulphate) twice daily for 8 weeks. Participants treated with low-dose iron had an average age of 28 years and a BMI of 21 kg/m2. Their serum ferritin and haemoglobin increased significantly from 18 ng/ml to 33 ng/ml (p