Large meta-analysis sheds new light on how SGLT2 inhibitors affect blood and iron parameters

A team at University Medical Center Groningen pooled 85 randomized clinical trials involving 70,543 participants and found that SGLT2 inhibitors, versus placebo or other glucose-lowering drugs, consistently raise hemoglobin and hematocrit. At a median follow-up of 24 weeks, hemoglobin rose by 0.60 g/dL and hematocrit by 2.36%; EPO increased, transferrin saturation and ferritin decreased, and serum iron was largely unchanged, suggesting the body mobilizes iron stores to support red blood cell production.