FIGURE 3.

Biomarkers of iron status during pregnancy and 6 wk postpartum in 31 apparently healthy Dutch women. The participants in this study were >18 y old with an expected normal pregnancy based on a normal hematologic blood count, renal function, and liver enzymes at their first visit. Iron supplements were not routinely prescribed and were reserved for those with hemoglobin concentrations <105 g/L and reduced mean cell volume (<80 fL) in accordance with national guidelines. Data are shown as medians with the IQR. Asterisks represent the significance in relation to first trimester values; analyzed with linear mixed models, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.001, ***P < 0.000. sTfR, soluble transferrin receptor; sTfR-index, sTfR divided by log ferritin; TIBC, total iron-binding capacity. Reproduced with permission from reference 226.