The effect of blood donation frequency on iron status

Abstract

Introduction

The effects of blood donation on iron status in donors without iron supplementation were studied. Analysing interactions between donations and iron status markers may predict these effects.

Materials and methods

Haemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin were analysed in 893 donors over 1 year. Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) was measured at the first and last donation.

Results

Prolonged intervals prevented decrease in Hb in women and in ferritin for both genders. In women, a high TfR-F index (sTfR/log ferritin) predicted fall in Hb.

Conclusion

Adjusting the donation intervals is a way to prevent iron deficiency in blood donors.

Keywords: Blood donors, Donation frequency, Haemoglobin, Serum ferritin, Serum transferrin receptor, Iron deficiency

a Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

b Institute of Life Sciences, Ålesund University College, Ålesund, Norway

c Blood Bank, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

d Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

e Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

f Gades Institute, University of Bergen, Norway

Corresponding author. Address: Institute of Life Sciences, Ålesund University College, N-6025 Ålesund, Norway. Tel.: +47 70 16 14 62; fax: +47 70 16 13 00.

PII: S1473-0502(09)00137-2

doi:10.1016/j.transci.2009.09.017

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