Diagnostic importance of hepcidin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and TfR-F index in monitoring the iron status of female hockey players

Abstract

Latent iron deficiency is highly prevalent among female athletes compared to the sedentary population. The present study is designed to assess whether the subnormal ferritin levels observed in female hockey players were due to true iron deficiency or due to exercise-induced metabolic adaptations. Twenty-six female field hockey players were selected for this study, after assessing the iron profile parameters they were divided into two groups namely the low ferritin group (LFG) and normal ferritin group (NFG) based on their ferritin levels (cut-off value -12ng/ml). Hepcidin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), soluble transferrin receptor-ferritin index (TfR-F Index), levels were compared between groups. Though there was no significant difference in TfR levels, significant differences were observed in hepcidin, TfR-F Index, serum iron, TIBC, and TS levels between both the groups, indicating the incidence of depletion of stored iron in female players during the training cycle.