ISSN:
1432-0584
Keywords:
Blood donors
;
Contraceptives, oral
;
Ferritin
;
Hemoglobin
;
Iron metabolism
;
Menopause
;
Women
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The general impact of blood donation on iron status was studied in a population survey comprising 1359 nonpregnant Danish women in age cohorts of 30, 40, 50, and 60 years; 809 were premenopausal and 550 postmenopausal; 180 (13%) were blood donors. Iron stores were assessed by serum (S-)ferritin and hemoglobin (Hb). Hb levels were not significantly different in donors: mean 137±10 (SD) g/l (8.5±0.6 mmol/l) compared with nondonors, 139±11 g/l (8.6±0.7 mmol/l). Values 〈 121 g/l (7.5 mmol/l) were observed in 3.3% of donors vs 3.8% of nondonors. Correlations between S-ferritin and Hb were without practical relevance:r s=0.29,p〈0.0001 in donors vsr s=0.22, p〈0.0001 in nondonors. Blood donation had a profound influence on iron status, especially in the premenopausal women population. Donors had lower S-ferritin than nondonors in all age-groups and in pre- and postmenopausal groups (p〈0.001 in all groups). Premenopausal donors had a median S-ferritin of 31μg/l vs 39μg/l in nondonors, postmenopausal donors of 47μg/l vs 72μg/l in nondonors. S-ferritin values 〈 15μg/l (i.e., depleted iron stores) were observed in 31.7% of premenopausal donors vs 15.2% of nondonors, and in 7.0% of postmenopausal donors vs 2.9% of nondonors. Iron deficiency anemia (i.e., S-ferritin 〈 15μg/l and Hb 〈 121 g/l) was seen in 2.8% of donors vs 1.5% of nondonors. Donors using oral contraceptives had higher S-ferritin, median 33μg/l compared with nonusers, 22μg/l, and a lower frequency of depleted iron stores, 29% vs 39%. Ideally, the frequency of phlebotomy should be adjusted according to S-ferritin as well as Hb levels. If Hb is used as single criterion for donation, only donors with predonation values ≥ 124–125 g/l should be allowed to undergo phlebotomy.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01714957
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