Imaging intravenous iron
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study of Tissue Iron Uptake in Iron-Deficient Patients Receiving Intravenous Iron Replacement Therapy: A prospective observational Study (STUDY)
IRAS ID
308355
Contact name
samira lakhal-littleton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. It is now recognized that iron deficiency affects our health in many ways, impairing cognitive and physical function, and worsening co-existing conditions such as heart and kidney disease. It is normally treated with oral iron tablets, which deliver iron gradually over a number of weeks. In recent years, an alternative treatment based on intravenous iron (i.e. through a ‘drip’) has become increasingly common. This can be helpful in patients who are unable to take oral iron, or when there is a need for rapid treatment of iron deficiency e.g. before to major surgery. In contrast to oral iron, intravenous iron delivers a large amount of iron at once. While it is an efficient way of quickly correcting iron deficiency, we do not know where in the body this large quantity of iron ends up. This is an important question, because the human body is not capable of excreting iron. As a result, some of this extra iron and may be deposited in vital organs like the liver, heart and spleen. We know from studying patients and animals with genetic iron overload disorders that too much iron in organs can be deleterious.
The aim of this study is to track where the iron goes in different organs in the hours, days and weeks after an intravenous iron infusion. We can track iron in tissues by using sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is safe and doesn’t involve any additional invasive procedures. We will include patients who have been prescribed intravenous iron as part of standard clinical care to treat their iron deficiency.
The understanding gained from these studies will help us refine treatments of iron deficiency to maximise benefits and minimise harm.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0172
Date of REC Opinion
30 May 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion