Ferritin Concentrations, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese

Elevated circulating ferritin concentrations were associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly Chinese independent of obesity, inflammation, adipokines, and other risk factors. Our data support the crucial role of iron overload for metabolic diseases, even in a country with relatively high prevalence of iron deficiency.