Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Iron deficiency anemia might appear in donors particularly in women following blood donation. The present study compared the efficacy and consequences of iron intake compared with iron plus vitamin C supplements.

 Materials and Methods

 One hundred thirty eligible female donors were included in the study. The iron supplement group (IS) receiving 150 mg/day in a 10-day course of oral ferrous sulfate, divided in 3 doses were compared with the group who received iron supplement plus vitamin C (750 mg/day) in a 10-day course, divided in 3 doses, orally (AIS group). Ferritin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were checked in both groups at the first visit before donation and 4 months after donation.

 Results

 TIBC levels increased in both groups of donors (p< 0.01). Ferritin level in IS group decreased (p= 0.036) from 25 ± 24 (ng/ml ) to 22 ± 21, and in AIS group (p= 0.031) from 16.5 ± 17 to 13.5 ± 13 after donation. Iron storage levels were similar in the both groups (p> 0.05). Gastrointestinal disturbances was seen in 9% (12) of supplement consumers. There are no differences between the two groups (p< 0.05).

 Conclusions

 Addition of Vitamin C to ferrous sulfate supplements neither had any impact on body iron load nor placed any adverse effects on blood donors. Moreover, the decline of ferritin level in all volunteers might be due both to the time duration between the first and the second sampling and the menstural period .