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Iron Absorption in Obesity Study (LOWS)

This study is looking at how low oxygen exposure and weight loss affect iron absorption in people with obesity. Researchers want to see if reducing inflammation through diet-induced weight loss, combined with overnight low oxygen exposure (which mimics being at about 8,500 feet elevation), can improve how your body absorbs iron. This is important because people with obesity often have low iron levels, which can lead to other health problems. You might be able to join if you are between 22 and 65 years old, have obesity (BMI between 30-39.9 kg/m2), were born at lower altitudes, and live in or around Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 30 participants. The main goal is to measure changes in iron absorption after 7 weeks.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 30 participants. It compares low oxygen exposure (experimental) to normal oxygen exposure (sham comparator).
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint, change in iron absorption, is measured at 7 weeks.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07542873

Iron Absorption in The Low Oxygen Exposure and Weight Status (LOWS) Study

Recruiting
NAAges 22–65InterventionalTreatment
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
~30 participants
Updated 2026-04-21 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Normobaric hypoxia (NH)Normobaric normoxia (NN)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in iron absorption
Measured over 7 weeks

Conditions

Obesity (Disorder)

Explore related trials

Obesity

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Louisiana1

Study leadership

  • Camila Weschenfelder, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Who to contact

Recruitment Core
[email protected]
225-763-3000
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Obese (BMI between 30-39.9 kg/m2)
Born at altitudes below 2,100 meters (\~7,000 feet)
Currently residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or surrounding area
Not taking any medication(s) that interfere with oxygen delivery/transport for 4 weeks prior to and throughout the entire study (e.g., includes sedatives, sleeping aids, tranquilizers and/or any medication that depresses ventilation, diuretics, alpha and beta blockers).
Willing to refrain from smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, and dietary supplement use throughout the entire study.
Willing to have a hypoxic tent set-up in their home and spend 8 consecutive hours per night in the tent for 8 weeks

Exclusion

Living in areas that are more than 1,200 m (\~4,000 feet), or have traveled to areas that are more than 1,200 m for five days or more within the last 2 months
Cardiovascular abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, or any condition that interferes with oxygen delivery/transport (e.g., kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.)
Oxygen saturation \< 95% while awake or oxygen saturation dips below 88% for a total of ≥ 10 min overnight in normoxic conditions
Evidence of apnea or other sleeping disorders
Evidence of prior high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) diagnosis
Diagnosis or family history of sickle cell anemia/trait
Hematocrit \<42% for males, \<36% for females
Hemoglobin \<13 g/dL for males, \<12 g/dL for females
Blood donation within 8 weeks of beginning the study
Present condition of alcoholism, anabolic steroids, or other substance abuse issues
Women who are pregnant, lactating, planning to become pregnant, or who have had an irregular menstrual cycle in the past 6 mo.
Weight gain or loss \> 10% of body weight during the past 6 months
Adults unable to consent

What this trial measures

  • Change in iron absorption7 weeks

    Fractional iron absorption will be measured during the baseline weight maintenance phase (day -7) and at the end of the study (day 42). Change in fractional iron absorption will be calculated as: fractional iron absorption on day 42 - fractional iron absorption on day -7.