Serum Hepcidin Response After Intravenous Iron Therapy

Intravenous iron is often administered when peroral iron is insufficient to correct iron-deficiency or not tolerated. Few studies have shown a relationship between pretherapeutic serum hepcidin levels and response to intravenous iron infusion: the lower the pre-infusion hepcidin level, the fewer red blood cell concentrates were used to correct anaemia. However, there are no studies investigating hepcidin levels after intravenous iron supplementation. Furthermore, some studies showed an increase in hepcidin 24 hours after ingesting oral iron supplements, impairing the iron uptake the next day. However, how long hepcidin is increased after intravenous iron administration is unknown. Prolonged serum hepcidin concentrations after an iron infusion would reduce intestinal iron absorption and continued, simultaneous oral iron therapy would be pointless.

This study investigates whether and how serum hepcidin concentrations change after intravenous iron therapy. Women with iron deficiency (serum ferritin below 30ng/ml) without anaemia (hemoglobin >117g/l) receive 500mg iron (Ferinject®) intravenously. Serum hepcidin levels are measured before therapy (day 0) 2 days (day 2) and 7 days (day 7) after infusion.