A new study published in Scientific Reports looked at whether iron levels in pregnancy are linked to the risk of developing gestational diabetes (GDM). Researchers measured serum ferritin, a protein that reflects how much iron your body is storing, in over 16,000 pregnant women.
They found that women with higher ferritin levels during the second and third trimesters were more likely to develop GDM. However, the link wasn’t as strong as other well-known risk factors, like pre-pregnancy weight and age.
What does this mean?
While keeping an eye on iron levels might help spot women at higher risk, ferritin testing alone isn’t enough to predict gestational diabetes. A combination of factors still gives the clearest picture.
