Yi. Zhu et Jd. Haas, RESPONSE OF SERUM TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR TO IRON SUPPLEMENTATION IN IRON-DEPLETED, NONANEMIC WOMEN, The American journal of clinical nutrition, 67(2), 1998, pp. 271-275
Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration has been recognized re
cently as a reliable indicator of functional iron deficiency, but its
response to iron supplementation has not been investigated in marginal
ly iron-deficient women. In this randomized, double-blinded trial, 37
female subjects aged 19-35 y with iron depletion without anemia (hemog
lobin >120 gn and serum ferritin <16 mu g/L) received an iron suppleme
nt or placebo for 8 wk. Iron status was measured before treatment, aft
er 4 wk of treatment, and posttreatment (ie, after 8 wk of treatment).
Iron supplementation of these iron-depleted, nonanemic women resulted
in a progressive and significant decrease in sTfR and a significant i
ncrease in serum ferritin, and prevented a fall in hemoglobin. The res
ponsiveness of sTfR to iron treatment indicated that sTfR is a sensiti
ve indicator of marginal iron deficiency in iron-depleted, nonanemic w
omen, even when their body iron stores were being replenished.