• A new study published in Nature Immunology links low iron levels early on in a COVID-19 infection to an increased risk of developing long COVID.

• Researchers tracked patients' blood iron levels for a year after COVID-19 infection.

• Those with long COVID showed irregular iron levels and anemia within two weeks.

• People with long COVID had worse initial infections and took longer to regulate iron levels. 

• Blood tests from moderate/severe cases revealed high levels of hepcidin, a marker for inflammatory anemia. 

• Asymptomatic/mild cases showed no iron disruptions.

• The study suggests a link between iron dysregulation, oxygen deficiency, and long COVID. 

• This raises the possibility of using iron supplements during the initial infection or as a treatment.

• Further research is needed to confirm if iron supplementation can prevent or treat long COVID.

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