Iron deficient females who exercise needed for the IRONWOMAN study

What does the research entail?

Initially you will have a blood test to confirm you are iron deficient. If you are, you will have some baseline tests, including a VO2max test and a breathing test. You will then be asked to answer some quality of life questionnaires and will receive a single iron injection which has been found to be much more effective than taking oral supplementation.

Two weeks later you will be required to repeat the baseline tests to determine the impact of the restoring your iron status.

Testing will take place at the elite athlete performance centre at St Mary's University. Feedback will be given to participants including information about fitness such as their VO2max test results.

Who should get in touch?

In order to be involved you must:

• be a female aged 18 years or older
• do at least 90 minutes of exercise each week (any ability)
• have a history of iron deficiency or think you may be iron deficient.

Please email Georgie Bruinvels if you are interested in taking part, or you have any queries. The research has received NHS ethical approval (15/LO/1570) and was approved by St Mary's University Ethics committee.

Georgie Bruinvels, Graduate Research Student, UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science