In IDNA adults  , iron supplementation is associated with reduced subjective measures of fatigue but not with objective improvements in physical capacity .
OBJECTIVE Iron supplementation in iron-deficiency anaemia is st and ard practice , but the benefits of iron supplementation in iron-deficient non-anaemic ( IDNA ) individuals remains controversial .
Our objective is to identify the effects of iron therapy on fatigue and physical capacity in IDNA adults .
Effect of iron supplementation on fatigue in nonanemic menstruating women with low ferritin: a randomized controlled trial
Background : The true benefit of iron supplementation for nonanemic menstruating women with fatigue is unknown . We studied the effect of oral iron therapy on fatigue and quality of life , as well as on hemoglobin , ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor levels , in nonanemic iron-deficient women with unexplained fatigue . Methods : We performed a multicentre , parallel , r and omized controlled , closed-label , observer-blinded trial . We recruited from the practice s of 44 primary care physicians in France from March to July 2006 . We r and omly assigned 198 women aged 18–53 years who complained of fatigue and who had a ferritin level of less than 50 ug/L and hemoglobin greater than 12.0 g/dL to receive either oral ferrous sulfate ( 80 mg of elemental iron daily ; n = 102 ) or placebo ( n = 96 ) for 12 weeks . The primary outcome was fatigue as measured on the Current and Past Psychological Scale . Biological markers were measured at 6 and 12 weeks . Results : The mean score on the Current and Past Psychological Scale for fatigue decreased by 47.7 % in the iron group and by 28.8 % in the placebo group ( difference –18.9 % , 95 % CI −34.5 to −3.2 ; p = 0.02 ) , but there were no significant effects on quality of life ( p = 0.2 ) , depression ( p = 0.97 ) or anxiety ( p = 0.5 ) . Compared with placebo , iron supplementation  increased hemoglobin ( 0.32 g/dL ; p = 0.002 ) and ferritin ( 11.4 μg/L ; p < 0.001 ) and decreased soluble transferrin receptor ( −0.54 mg/L ; p < 0.001 ) at 12 weeks . Interpretation : Iron supplementation should be considered for women with unexplained fatigue who have ferritin levels below 50 μg/L. We suggest assessing the efficiency using blood markers after six weeks of treatment . Trial registration no. EudraCT 2006–000478–56
In IDNA adults  , iron supplementation is associated with reduced subjective measures of fatigue but not with objective improvements in physical capacity .
OBJECTIVE Iron supplementation in iron-deficiency anaemia is st and ard practice , but the benefits of iron supplementation in iron-deficient non-anaemic ( IDNA ) individuals remains controversial .
Our objective is to identify the effects of iron therapy on fatigue and physical capacity in IDNA adults .