P146 - HIGH PREVALENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN RECREATIONALLY ACTIVE PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

P146

HIGH PREVALENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN RECREATIONALLY ACTIVE PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

V. Bartošová^1,*, M. Šiklová², L. Rossmeislová², J. Gojda¹, K. Koudelková¹

¹Department of Clinical Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital, ²Department of Pathophysiology, 3rd Medical Faculty of Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Rationale: Iron deficiency (ID) can impair oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and overall physical performance. While it is widely recognized in elite athletes, the burden of ID in recreationally active premenopausal women remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate iron status and dietary iron intake in this population.

Methods: Twenty healthy, premenopausal recreationally active women (mean age 32.0 ± 4.7 years; BMI 21.3 ± 1.5 kg/m²) were assessed. Fasting venous blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), ferritin, serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, and soluble transferrin receptors. Body composition was measured by bioimpedance (Quadscan 4000, Bodystat). In a subgroup of 12 women, dietary intake was evaluated using a 3-day food record and validated databases to estimate daily iron and energy intake per kg of fat-free mass (FFM).

Results: One woman suffered from iron deficiency anemia, 40 % (n=8) of  the woman were in latent stage of iron deficiency (impaired both ferritin and functional iron capacity), 25 % (n=5) had isolated decreased ferritin concentration (<20 μg/l) or ferritin <30 μg/l combinated with impaired functional capacity. One woman had non-iron deficiency anemia and only one woman had all markers of iron metabolism within the reference range. In the subgroup average iron intake was 13.1 ± 4.6 mg and energy intake was 42.1 ± 7.7 kcal/1 kg FFM. On average, iron intake was slightly lower than recommended intake (15 mg) and energy intake was also insufficient.

Conclusion: Iron deficiency is highly prevalent among recreationally active premenopausal women, even in the absence of anemia. Given the potential health and performance consequences, iron status should be routinely screened in this population and supplemented when indicated.

Acknowledgements: The study was supported by: GAUK 273623, AZV NU23-01-00509, COOPERATIO METD, LX22NPO5104

Disclosure of Interest: None declared