This study confirmed the finding of previous
studies, in that the prevalence of iron deficiency
increased with frequent blood donations. Of the entire
study population, 20.6% and 12.0% had iron
deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia, respectively.
The values of iron and haematological parameters
were significantly lower in regular donors than in the
other categories of donors. Simon et al.15 showed that
8% of men and 38% of women have reduced iron
stores, as assessed by serum ferritin status, after five
donations. In a large Danish study, the prevalence of
depleted iron stores was found to be higher in donors
than in people who did not donate blood. Furthermore