priors.science/reviews/iron-status

Iron Status

The current evidence on 10 claims, ordered from most established to most contested. Each score is the panel’s evidence certainty — how firmly the literature supports the claim as stated.

10claims tracked
101primary papers reviewed
9 Aug 2026latest evidence review
Weeklyre-scored against new papers
1 Established · 1 Likely · 6 Uncertain · 2 Doubtful  |  four-reviewer panel · PICO Framework
ClaimStandingEvidence certaintyCorpus
Oral iron corrects iron-deficiency anaemiaIdaEstablished85%14
Antenatal iron cuts maternal anaemiaPregLikely80%12
Intravenous iron raises haemoglobin fasterIdaUncertain69%10
Iron cuts fatigue in non-anaemic womenFuncUncertain68%10
Alternate-day dosing improves absorptionIdaUncertain68%12
Intravenous iron beats oral in inflammatory bowel diseaseIvdLong-standingUncertain66%10
Intravenous iron cuts heart-failure hospitalisationIvdUncertain62%13
Intravenous iron reduces low birthweightPregUncertain53%11
Iron aids endurance in athletesFuncLong-standingDoubtful49%10
Untargeted iron raises infection riskFuncLong-standingDoubtful44%10
Track Iron Status.
These claims are re-scored against new papers every week. Track this topic for the full review, including each claim’s challenge and the papers behind it.
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Standing — what the evidence certainty means
Established≥ 85%Strong, consistent evidence. Unlikely to change.
Likely70–84%Well supported, with some gaps or indirect evidence.
Uncertain50–69%Mixed or limited evidence. Genuinely open.
Doubtful30–49%Little support; the weight of evidence leans against it.
Refuted< 30%The evidence contradicts it — confidently false as stated.
Where the evidence sits in time
Long-standingMost of this evidence is older than the rest of this field.