Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Iron is an essential element which plays its role in metabolic pathway in the body and it is required by every human cell. Main site of iron lies in the structure of hemoglobin in red blood cell. Blood donation has a marked influence on body iron stores in female blood donors leading to anemic blood donors unable to donate moreover, the anemia may trigger a costly medical evaluation. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of iron deficiency anemia in first time and frequent female blood donors referring to Tehran Blood Transfusion Center.

 Materials and Methods

 In this study (historical cohort), 69 first time female blood donors as the control group and 75 frequent female blood donors as the case group were randomly selected. Hemoglobin in the two groups of blood donors was tested by Hb strip and all of them were considered eligible for donation. Blood samples of blood donors were transferred to the laboratory for the evaluation of biochemical parameters for iron status in the body and cell blood counting. These data were compared between the two groups by using SPSS statistical data program.

 Results

 The age range in the two groups was significantly different (p<0.001). Therefore, female blood donors were divided in two groups according to age: above and below 45 years of age. There was a significant decrease in Hb level in frequent blood donors when compared with the Hb level in first time female blood donors at age range below 45 years (p<0.003). According to the results, frequency of anemia was 10.7% in frequent female blood donors and 6.6% in first time female blood donors. Serum transferrin and TIBC levels in frequent female blood donors were significantly higher than the first time blood donors (p<0.003, p<0.006). We found significant decrease in ferritin level at age range below 45 years among frequent female blood donors when compared with ferritin level in first time female donors (p<0.04).

 Conclusions

 The results show that blood donation has a marked influence in decreasing ferritin and increasing transferrin levels in frequent female blood donors which indicates complete depletion of iron in their bone marrow. Ferritin and transferrin measurement is an important factor for diagnosis of iron deficiency and should be included in the routine assessment of f e male blood donors. We recommended that the frequency of phlebotomy be adjusted according to levels of serum ferritin and serum transferrin.

 Key words : Iron deficiency anemia, Transferrin, TIBC, Blood donors