--- title: "Evidence: Serum ferritin (iron stores)" description: "Iron status is linked to mortality risk, with different associations observed in people with and without diabetes, suggesting personalized approaches to…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.html" type: "study" study_key: "s147" journal: "J Endocr Soc" year: 2024 pmid: "38623382" doi: "10.1210/jendso/bvae063" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: Serum ferritin (iron stores) [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: Serum ferritin (iron stores) **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s147 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J Endocr Soc | | Year | 2024 | | PMID | [38623382](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38623382/) | | DOI | [10.1210/jendso/bvae063](https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvae063) | | Study key | s147 | ## Takeaway Iron status is linked to mortality risk, with different associations observed in people with and without diabetes, suggesting personalized approaches to iron management. ## The question What is the association between iron status biomarkers and all-cause or cause-specific mortality, and does this association differ between people with and without diabetes mellitus? ## Hypothesis The study aimed to investigate associations between iron metabolic biomarkers and all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk in the general population, and to explore heterogeneities in these associations among populations with and without diabetes mellitus. ## Methods The study included 29,166 adults from NHANES III and NHANES 1999-2010, with mortality data linked to the National Death Index up to December 31, 2019. Cox proportional-hazard models and Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to analyze the associations between iron metabolic biomarkers and mortality outcomes. ## Results During a median follow-up of 18.83 years, 9,378 deaths were observed, including 3,420 cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths and 1,969 cancer deaths. A linear association between serum ferritin (SF) and all-cause mortality was found in the overall population and those without diabetes. J-shaped associations between transferrin saturation (TSAT) and all-cause and CVD mortality were observed across all populations. In the overall population, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality in the fourth quartile (Q4) of SF was 1.13 (1.05-1.21) compared to the first quartile (Q1), while for TSAT, the HR in Q4 was 0.93 (0.88-0.99). For individuals without diabetes, the adjusted HR of Q4 SF was 1.19 (1.03-1.37) for CVD mortality and 1.25 (1.05-1.48) for cancer mortality. In individuals with diabetes, the adjusted HRs of Q4 TSAT were 0.76 (0.62-0.93) for CVD mortality and 1.47 (1.07-2.03) for cancer mortality. ## Conclusion Abnormalities in iron metabolism increase mortality risk in the general population. The associations between iron status and mortality differ significantly between individuals with and without diabetes mellitus, suggesting a need for tailored strategies for iron homeostasis. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Iron metabolism abnormalities increase mortality risk in the general population ## Adjusted Hazard Ratios for All-Cause Mortality by Quartile of Serum Ferritin and Transferrin Saturation (Overall Population) | Measure | Adjusted Hazard Ratio | | --- | --- | | SF Q2 | 1.07 | | SF Q3 | 1.05 | | SF Q4 | 1.13 | | TSAT Q2 | 0.94 | | TSAT Q3 | 0.92 | | TSAT Q4 | 0.93 | *Compared to the first quartile (Q1), the adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality show varying associations with higher quartiles of serum ferritin (SF) and transferrin saturation (TSAT) in the overall population.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Ferritin / Iron-Status Test | Measurement tool | [Ferritin / Iron-Status Test](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/147.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: Serum ferritin (iron stores)** J Endocr Soc 2024 · [PMID 38623382](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38623382/) · [DOI 10.1210/jendso/bvae063](https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvae063) > Iron metabolism abnormalities increase mortality risk in the general population ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.html","name":"Evidence: Serum ferritin (iron stores)","description":"Iron status is linked to mortality risk, with different associations observed in people with and without diabetes, suggesting personalized approaches to…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: Serum ferritin (iron stores)","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s147.html#study","name":"Evidence: Serum ferritin (iron stores)","headline":"Evidence: Serum ferritin (iron stores)","datePublished":"2024","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Endocr Soc"},"identifier":"PMID:38623382","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38623382/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvae063","abstract":"Iron status is linked to mortality risk, with different associations observed in people with and without diabetes, suggesting personalized approaches to iron management."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Ferritin / Iron-Status Test](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/147.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Time-dependent associations between iron and mortality in hemodialysis patients](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d16033854.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).