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 .
Comparison of Two Doses of Elemental Iron in the Treatment of Latent Iron Deficiency: Efficacy, Side Effects and Blinding Capabilities
Adherence to iron supplementation can be compromised due to side effects , and these limit blinding in studies of iron deficiency . No studies have reported an efficacious iron dose that allows participants to remain blinded . This pilot study aim ed to determine a ferrous sulfate dose that improves iron stores , while minimising side effects and enabling blinding . A double-blinded RCT was conducted in 32 women ( 18–35 years ) : 24 with latent iron deficiency ( serum ferritin < 20 µg/L ) and 8 iron sufficient controls . Participants with latent iron deficiency were r and omised to 60 mg or 80 mg elemental iron or to placebo , for 16 weeks . The iron sufficient control group took placebo . Treatment groups ( 60 mg n = 7 and 80 mg n = 6 ) had significantly higher ferritin change scores than placebo groups ( iron deficient n = 5 and iron sufficient n = 6 ) , F(1 , 23 ) = 8.46 , p ≤ 0.01 . Of the 24 who completed the trial , 10 participants ( 77 % ) on iron reported side effects , compared with 5 ( 45 % ) on placebo , but there were no differences in side effects ( p = 0.29 ) , or compliance ( p = 0.60 ) between iron groups . Nine ( 69 % ) participants on iron , and 11 ( 56 % ) on placebo correctly guessed their treatment allocation . Both iron doses were equally effective in normalising ferritin levels . Although reported side-effects were similar for both groups , a majority of participants correctly guessed their treatment group
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 .