Prevention of iron deficiency with carbonyl iron in female blood donors

Abstract

The effectiveness of elemental, nontoxic carbonyl iron in replacing iron lost at blood donoation was examined. In a randomized double-blind design, 99 women aged 18 to 40, were given placebo or low-dose carbonyl iron (100 mg orally) at bedtime for 56 days after phlebotomy. Compliance was equivalent for the two regimens. Mild side efects were slightly greater with carbonyl iron. At Day 56, estimated net iron absorption from therapy or diet, or both was sufficient to repalce iron in 85 percent of those receiving carbonyl iron but in only 29 percent of those taking placebo (p < 0.001). The rates of deferral from repeat donation were 8% in the carbonyl iron group and 36 percent in the placebo group (p < 0.01), and the positive predictive value of routine screening in identifying participants without iron deficiency was 83 versus 13 percent (p < 0.01). It can be concluded that short-term carbonyl iron supplementation in female blood donors can replace the iron lost at phlebotomy, protect the women against iron deficiency, and enhance their ability to give blood.