As a result, it is possible that the post-exercise elevations in hepcidin activity are of most concern to athletes that present with a ‘sub-optimal’ iron status (i.e. those with serum ferritin levels ∼30–50 μg/L), since it is in these athletes where a significant post-exercise elevation in hepcidin will still occur, potentially reducing their ability to recycle and absorb iron from the diet, thereby increasing the likelihood that an iron deficiency may develop over time. Here, HAMP is linked to Iron deficiency anemia.