The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of daily iron supplements after blood donation on time to recovery of hemoglobin and iron stores. The study will also determine whether the effect of iron supplements on time to recovery is different in men and women, in older vs. younger donors (\<60 years old vs. at least 60 years old) and in donors with replete vs. diminished pre-donation iron stores.
The effect of taking iron supplements after blood donation on time to recovery of hemoglobin has been documented but it is not clear whether the benefits of iron supplements vary with age, gender or iron stores. To study this issue, individuals who are eligible to donate blood, based on hemoglobin level, will be randomized to receive daily iron supplements or no supplements. Randomization will be stratified on gender (male or female), age (\<60 years old vs. at least 60 years old) and iron status (serum ferritin \>26 vs serum ferritin no greater than 26). Subjects will be followed for 24 weeks with periodic blood draws to determine time to recovery of hemoglobin and iron stores. A 7 ml (about 1.5 teaspoons) blood sample will be drawn at each of seven study visits over the 24 weeks to track recovery of hemoglobin and iron.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
215
daily capsule of ferrous gluconate containing 38 mg of elemental iron
Blood Centers of the Pacific
San Francisco, California, United States
American Red Cross, Connecticut Region
Farmington, Connecticut, United States
Institute for Transfusion Medicine
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Blood Center of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Time to recovery of hemoglobin after blood donation
Hemoglobin will be measured 3-7 days and 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 weeks after blood donation. A nonlinear regression of hemoglobin vs time since donation will be used to determine time to recovery of hemoglobin to 80% of the pre-donation level.
Time frame: Up to 24 weeks after blood donation
Iron stores
Ferritin will be measured 3-7 days and 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 weeks after blood donation. A nonlinear regression of hemoglobin vs time since donation will be used to determine time to recovery of to pre-donation iron stores.
Time frame: Up to 24 weeks after blood donation
Total body iron
Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in blood will be measured 3-7 days and 24 weeks after blood donation. The ratio of sTfR to ferritin will provide a measure of total body iron at the two time points. Recovery of total body iron will be estimated from the difference between the ratios at the two time points.
Time frame: 24 weeks after blood donation
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