Top

Published in:

01-02-2017 | Commentary

Iron: how much is too much?

Author: Aidan McElduff

Published in: Diabetologia | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Gross iron overload has long been known to result in diabetes mellitus. However, it is now thought that milder levels of iron overload, possibly within the normal range, also increase the risk of diabetes mellitus. The article by Rawal et al in this issue (Diabetologia doi: 10.1007/s00125-016-4149-3) provides further support for the relationship between mild degrees of iron overload and the risk of gestational diabetes. The purpose of this commentary is to briefly discuss the background of this relationship and the implications it may have for routine pregnancy care.

Waldvogel-Abramowski S, Waeber G, Gassner C et al (2014) Physiology of iron metabolism. Transfus Med Hemother 41:213–221PubMedPubMedCentral

Swaminathan S, Fonseca VA, Alam MG, Shah SV (2007) The role of iron in diabetes and its complications. Diabetes Care 30:1926–1933CrossRefPubMed

Simcox JA, McClain DA (2013) Iron and diabetes risk. Cell Metab 17:329–341CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Huang J, Jones D, Luo B et al (2011) Iron overload and diabetes risk: a shift from glucose to fatty acid oxidation and increased hepatic glucose production in a mouse model of hereditary hemochromatosis. Diabetes 60:80–87CrossRefPubMed

Kunutsor SK, Apekey TA, Walley J, Kain K (2013) Ferritin levels and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective evidence. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 29:308–318CrossRefPubMed

Forouhi NG, Harding AH, Allison M et al (2007) Elevated serum ferritin levels predict new-onset type 2 diabetes: results from the EPIC- Norfolk prospective study. Diabetologia 50:949–956CrossRefPubMed

Khambalia AZ, Aimone A, Nagubandi P et al (2015) High maternal iron status, dietary iron intake and iron supplement use in pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective study and systematic review. Diabet Med 33:1211–1221CrossRef

Waldvogel-Abramovski S, Waeber G, Gassner C, Buser A, Frey BM, Favrat B, Tissot J-D (2014) Iron and transfusion medicine. Blood Rev 27:289–295CrossRef

Bao W, Rong Y, Rong S, Liu L (2012) Dietary iron intake, body iron stores, and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med 10:119–132CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

10.

Ascherio A, Rimm EB, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ (2001) Blood donations and risk of coronary heart disease in men. Circulation 103:52–57CrossRefPubMed

11.

Facchini FS (1998) Effect of phlebotomy on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Diabetes Care 21:2190CrossRefPubMed

12.

Houschyar KS, Ludtke R, Dobos et al (2012) Effects of phlebotomy-induced reduction of body iron stores on metabolic syndrome: results from a randomized clinical trial. BMC Med 10:54–62CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

13.

Fernandez-Real JM, Penarroja G, Castro et al (2002) Blood letting in high-ferritin type 2 diabetes: effects on insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function. Diabetes 51:1000–1004CrossRefPubMed

14.

Wilson MS, Thompson EW (2016) Venesection is an effective non-pharmacological treatment for patients with high serum ferritin type 2 diabetes. J Clin Transl Endocrinol: Case Rep doi:10.1016/j.jecr.2016.10.002

15.

Rawal S, Hinkle SN, Bao W et al (2016) A longitudinal study of iron status during pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes: findings from a prospective, multiracial cohort. Diabetologia. doi:10.1007/s00125-016-4149-3

Title: Iron: how much is too much?
Author: Aidan McElduff
Publication date: 01-02-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Diabetologia / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0012-186X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0428
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-016-4176-0

ACC 2024 Congress Coverage

Heart Failure Video

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Iron: how much is too much?

Abstract

ACC 2024 Congress Coverage

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Semaglutide benefits people with type 2 diabetes and obesity-related heart failure

Incentivised to exercise

New intervention for STEMI-related cardiogenic shock

» View more highlights on the ACC 2024 congress hub page

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 2/2017

Nonlinear association of BMI with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 414,587 participants in prospective studies

A Tbc1d1 Ser231Ala-knockin mutation partially impairs AICAR- but not exercise-induced muscle glucose uptake in mice

Circulating microRNA levels predict residual beta cell function and glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

The beneficial effects of empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, on atherosclerosis in ApoE −/− mice fed a western diet

Insulitis in human diabetes: a histological evaluation of donor pancreases

A longitudinal study of iron status during pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes: findings from a prospective, multiracial cohort

ACC 2024 Congress Coverage

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Semaglutide benefits people with type 2 diabetes and obesity-related heart failure

Incentivised to exercise

New intervention for STEMI-related cardiogenic shock

» View more highlights on the ACC 2024 congress hub page