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Lower serum ferritin levels within the normal range are strongly correlated with greater RLS symptom severity in drug-naive patients

In 113 drug-naive idiopathic RLS patients with serum ferritin within the laboratory reference range (22-322 μg/L), multiple regression analysis showed ferritin level (p < 0.001) and age (p = 0.001) were independent predictors of symptom severity. The median ferritin was 51.4 μg/L, and a very strong negative correlation was found between ferritin and RLS severity scores.

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism☆☆☆☆☆
Safety☆☆☆☆☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Is "normal" ferritin truly enough? Strong correlation between iron stores and RLS severity in patients with normal ferritin levels.

observational

Tano&#x11f;lu C, Ersoy A · Sleep medicine (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A (cross-sectional)
Intervention: None (observational study measuring serum ferritin levels and other biochemical parameters)
Outcome: RLS symptom severity measured by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale
Effect Size: N/A (regression coefficients not reported in abstract)
Population: 113 drug-naive patients with idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome, with serum ferritin levels within the laboratory reference range (22-322 μg/L), mean age 52 ± 13.8 years

Result:

PubMed: 42119338DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2026.109008

Mechanism Graph

Low peripheral iron stores (ferritin) reduce brain iron availability
↓
Decreased brain iron impairs dopamine synthesis and function
↓
Dopaminergic dysfunction in sensorimotor pathways triggers RLS symptoms
↓
Result: Lower ferritin correlates with more severe RLS symptoms

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design cannot establish causality
  • ⚠Single-center study with relatively small sample size (n=113)

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References

  1. 1.Tano&#x11f;lu C, Ersoy A. "Is "normal" ferritin truly enough? Strong correlation between iron stores and RLS severity in patients with normal ferritin levels.." Sleep medicine, 2026. PMID: 42119338 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2026.109008
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.