Risk of developing latent iron deficiency in blood (blood component) donors: original articl

INTRODUCTION. Donors, being at risk for developing iron deficiency, undergo pre-donation screening, including hemoglobin testing. However, hemoglobin levels do not reflect the state of iron stores, and depletion of these stores causes iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a polyetiologic disorder characterized by iron deficiency in the body, caused by impaired intake, absorption, or increased losses of this micronutrient. Given that the development of iron deficiency anemia is preceded by a period of latent iron deficiency, the laboratory criteria for which include decreased red blood cell indices, serum ferritin, serum iron, decreased transferrin saturation, and an increase in serum transferrin and soluble transferrin receptors, its timely detection requires proactive measures. OBJECTIVE. To assess the risk of developing iron deficiency in donors of blood and/or its components in the age group from   18 to 65 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study used biochemical and statistical research methods. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive analysis of hemogram results and serum biochemistry reflecting iron metabolism in 174 donors of blood and its components was conducted. An assessment of the risk of early iron deficiency in donors was provided. RESULTS. This article presents data from our own studies of iron metabolism in blood and blood component donors aged 18 to 65 years (median age 35 years). Hemoglobin levels at the lower limit of normal and serum ferritin thresholds (30 μg/L for male donors and 20 μg/L for female donors) were used as criteria for the risk of developing iron deficiency. Among men, those at risk for developing iron deficiency included donors who donated blood more than three times within 12 months or had a total of more than ten donations, and donors with hemoglobin levels at the lower limit of normal. Among women, those at risk included donors who donated blood more than twice within 12 months or had a total of two to six donations. In these women, ferritin levels should be monitored, and a decrease below reference values should be considered latent iron deficiency. The observed decrease in serum ferritin concentration after the second blood donation in female donors, followed by a significant decrease below the reference range and by the tenth donation in men, serves as the basis for determining ferritin during donor examination. DISCUSSION. An analysis of the results of testing 174 donors revealed a relatively high incidence of iron deficiency in individuals at risk, suggesting the feasibility of implementing new approaches to existing donor laboratory testing standards at the blood transfusion department level, with the potential for further expansion of pre-donation laboratory testing. When assessing donors for donation, consideration should be given not only to hemoglobin levels, but also to laboratory testing of donors to determine tissue iron stores. CONCLUSION. A significant proportion of the examined donors showed signs of iron deficiency and were at risk for developing anemia. As donor experience increases, the incidence of iron deficiency in the examined donor group increases, necessitating the development of a system for the prevention and correction of iron metabolism disorders to preserve donor health.

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