Changes in certain iron metabolism variables after a single blood donation

Signs of iron deficiency have been studied after the first blood donation in 11 healthy men. Six were given 100 mg iron daily, and five received placebo tablets. The total iron-binding capacity and iron absoprtion remained raised for more than 26 days, but had almost returned to the initial values after 70 days. A significant decrease in the stainable bone marrow iron could be shown in all subjects after 26 days; later some restitution was seen in subjects given iron supplements, but not in those given placebo. As the restitution times are long, the interval after blood donation must be taken into account when judging iron metabolism variables in active donors.