The effect of blood donation frequency on iron status

IntroductionThe 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 methodsHaemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin were analysed in 893 donors over 1 year. Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) was measured at the first and last donation.ResultsProlonged 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.ConclusionAdjusting the donation intervals is a way to prevent iron deficiency in blood donors.