Changes in serum lipid concentrations during iron depletion and after ironsupplementation

To investigate the effects of body iron depletion and iron supplementation on serum lipid concentrations, hematologic indices, iron markers, and serum lipid profiles were measured in 427 girls, age 14-19 yr. There were no sig nificant differences in serum lipid concentrations between subjects with mo derate iron deficiency anemia (blood Hb <12.0 g/dL) and healthy controls. H owever, serum total cholesterol concentration (mean <plus/minus> SD, 148 +/ - Ib mg/dL) in severely anemic subjects with blood Hb <8.0 g/dL was signifi cantly lower than in subjects with blood Hb <greater than or equal to>14.0 g/dL(170 +/- 17 mg/dL) (p <0.01). Moreover, serum triglyceride concentratio n in subjects with blood Hb >14.0 g/dL was 2-fold higher than in the severe ly anemic subjects. Mean values of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride (149 +/- 17 mg/dL and 58 +/- 22 mg/dL) in girls with severe anemia were si gnificantly elevated after iron supplementation (164 +/- 17 mg/dL and 98 +/ - 26 mg/dL) (p <0.01, respectively). In the severely anemic subjects, blood Hb concentration was correlated with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.49, p <0.01) and triglyceride concentrations (r = 0.51, p <0.01). These findings indicate that severe iron deficiency anemia in girls is attended by decreas ed concentrations of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride, and that the se reduced serum lipid levels return to normal following iron supplementati on, (received 7 November 2000, accepted 30 November 2000).