Association between iron metabolism markers and triglyceride–glucose index: A cross-sectional study in China Health and Nutrition Survey

Iron metabolism plays an important role in insulin resistance, and the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been proposed in recent years as a more accessible and cost-effective marker for insulin resistance. This study aims to evaluate the association between iron metabolism markers, including ferritin (FER), transferrin (TRF), and transferrin receptor (TFR), and the TyG index. A total of 6524 Chinese individuals aged between 18 and 75 years were included in this study. Multivariable linear models were used to investigate the association between FER, TRF, and TFR levels, and the TyG index. Further subgroup analyses stratified by age and sex were also performed. There was a positive association between FER and TRF levels and the TyG index in all 3 multivariable linear regression models, regardless of stratification by sex and age. Additionally, TFR was positively associated with the TyG index among females and those aged ≥45 years, but not among males and those aged <45 years. Our findings reveal a positive association between FER and TRF levels and the TyG index in a Chinese population, while the association between TFR levels and the TyG index showed different patterns depending on age and gender.