The aim of the study was to assess iron metabolism parameters in response to frequent blood donations in Polish blood donors, highlighting gender-related differences. The study comprised 170 whole blood donors  (44 females and 126 males) in the age range of 19-60 years, admitted to the Regional Blood Transfusion Center in Bydgoszcz. The control group consisted of 36 age- and sex-matched non-donors. The peripheral blood cell count and iron status parameters, such as: serum iron, ferritin, total- and unsaturated binding capacities, erythopoeitin and  transferrin saturation were assessed. There were no statistical differences in basic hematological parameters between regular blood donors and non-donors. Ferritin concentrations in male as well as in female blood donors were significantly lower than in male and female non-donors. Moreover, total- and unsaturated iron binding in capacites were significantly increased in male donors compared with male non-donors. The ferritin concentration in males donating blood once a year was significantly higher than observed in women donating blood once a year. Unsaturated iron binding capacity was significantly decreased in male compared with female donors (1 blood donation/year). No statistical differences in iron metabolism parameters were found between male and female blood donors who donated blood 2-3 times per year. High-frequency blood donors, both males and females, are particularly exposed to iron deficiency. Serum ferritin concentration in males donating blood 2-3 times a year was similar to ferritin levels observed in females. Inclusion of ferritin testing in pre-donation qualification of regular donors should be considered to detect subclinical iron deficiency.

24.4.2019