Aims: To determine the effect of a lifestyle intervention on serum transferrin and ferritin levels and the relationship between changes in transferrin and ferritin and changes in glucose tolerance and insulin resistance.
Methods: Randomized controlled lifestyle intervention directed at a healthy diet and increased physical activity in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.
Results: After 1 year, the change in ferritin levels in the intervention group as compared with the control group did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.06). Transferrin change was independently related to the change in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and ferritin change was related to the change in 2-h free fatty acids.
Conclusions: Changes in insulin sensitivity and postprandial lipid metabolism are related to changes in iron metabolism.