title: Iron: how much is too much?
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.
authors.affiliation: The Discipline of Medicine, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. aidan.mcelduff@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Aidan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McElduff
mesh_terms: D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D007501:Iron
keywords: Diabetes; Diabetes risk; Gestational diabetes; Hyperferritinaemia; Iron overload; Pregnant