Iron stores in male blood donors evaluated by serum ferritin

Iron stores were evaluated by serum ferritin measurements in 1348 male blood donors. Blood donation was associated with a decrease in serum ferritin concentrations. First-time donors (n = 21) had a geometric mean serum ferritin concentration of 52 micrograms per l, and multiple-time donors (n = 1327) of 36 micrograms per l (p less than 0.01). In the donating population, 6.0 percent had serum ferritin values less than 15 micrograms per l (i.e., depleted iron stores), 33.9 percent had values from 15 to 30 micrograms per l (i.e., reduced iron stores), 52.5 percent had values from 31 to 90 micrograms per l, and 7.6 percent had values greater than 90 micrograms per l (i.e., normal iron stores). The frequency of donations per year was more predictive of decreased iron stores than the number of lifetime donations. Serum ferritin showed a moderate fall up to the fourth donation (p less than 0.001); thereafter serum ferritin levels showed only minor insignificant changes. An increase in donation frequency was accompanied by a significant decrease in serum ferritin; values less than 15 micrograms per l were found in 1.3 percent of donors bled two times per year, in 6.0 percent bled three times per year, and in 7.9 percent bled four times per year. Regular monitoring of iron stores by serum ferritin in blood donors seems justified in order to identify those with depleted iron stores who will benefit from iron supplementation.