Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

The Effects of Acute Erythropoietin on Hepcidin and Dietary Iron Absorption Following Military-relevant Exercise in Energy Deficit: Pilot Study

United States6 participantsStarted 2025-09-01

Plain-language summary

Military personnel frequently experience declines in iron status during training and when in the field, which may compromise performance. The overall purpose of this study is to determine why the decline in iron status occurs and potential countermeasures. Participants will be given an acute dose of erythropoietin (EPO) or placebo and will complete a 90-minute load carriage exercise test. Prior to the main trial, this pilot study will determine the optimal approach to assess iron absorption following exercise (red blood cell incorporation or plasma isotope appearance), the percentage of iron incorporated into red blood cells with EPO compared to placebo, and the timing of the intervention.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 45 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Males and premenopausal females ages 18-45 years * Physically active Exclusion Criteria: * Low iron stores (ferritin \<15 mg/mL) * Anemia (females: hemoglobin \< 12 g/dL, males: hemoglobin \< 13 g/dL)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Fractional iron absorption

Timeframe: 14 days post-exercise

Plasma isotope appearance

Timeframe: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 360 minutes post-exercise

Red blood cell iron incorporation

Timeframe: 50 minutes infusion of a stable iron isotope following exercise

Timing of intervention

Timeframe: 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days following EPO

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07517562

SponsorPennington Biomedical Research Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Iron Absorption trials