Iron stores in Chinese eligible male plateletpheresis donors

Plateletpheresis donors may become iron deficient, particularly if donating at the maximum suggested interval of every 2 weeks. This study aimed to evaluate iron stores in male Chinese plateletpheresis donors. Serum samples were collected from 445 male plateletpheresis donors and serum ferritin (SF) levels were measured. There were 16 repeat donors (3.6%) with iron deficiency (SF<10 ng/mL), but none was found in first time donors. About 63 (14.2%) had depleted iron stores (SF<30 ng/mL), including two first time donors (0.4%). Repeat donors had lower mean SF levels than the first donors. There was a positive correlation between iron deficiency/depletion prevalence, lower hemoglobin level and number of platelet donations. Donation interval, age and ABO blood groups were not associated with iron status. Iron status needs to be monitored in repeat platepheresis donors and donors with Hb<130 g/L, especially when the number of donations are between 10 and 30. For these individuals, SF measurement and iron supplementation are recommended.