High iron stores have been reported to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, evidence for the associations of iron metabolism with T2DM is inconsistent, and whether there is a threshold effect remains controversial. In the present study, we aimed to examine the associations between various iron biomarkers and the risk of T2DM as well as impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) and hyperglycemia in Chinese women of childbearing age. A total of 1145 women were divided into three groups (normal blood glucose metabolism group; IGM g...