Effect of β-hydroxybutyrate monoester on markers of iron metabolism in new-onset prediabetes: findings from a randomised placebo-controlled trial

In this randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 18 participants with new-onset prediabetes after acute pancreatitis consumed a ketone monoester supplement or placebo after an overnight fast, with blood sampled every 30 minutes for 150 minutes. Beta-hydroxybutyrate rose from 0.20 to 3.50 mmol/L at 30 minutes and stayed elevated. The total area under the curve of hepcidin was 340.5 with the supplement versus 343.2 with placebo (p = 0.91), and for ferritin it was 786.7 versus 776.9 (p = 0.10).