Iron stores in female blood donors evaluated by serum ferritin

Abstract

Iron stores were evaluated by serum ferritin determinations in 948 menstruating and 141 non-menstruating female blood donors. Blood donation was associated with a decrease in ferritin. First-time donors (n=163) had a geometric mean ferritin of 24 μg/l and multiple-time donors a value of 19 μg/l (ppp<0.05). There was no relationship between ferritin levels and the number of pregnancies. The frequency of donations was more predictive of ferritin levels than the number of donations. Mean ferritin displayed a moderate fall up to the 2nd donation, and was hereafter relatively constant, whereas an increase in donation frequency was accompanied by a significant decrease in ferritin. Female donors, especially when phlebotomised ≥3 times per year, should have their iron status checked at appropriate intervals by measurement of serum ferritin and should be advised regular iron supplementation.