It is well-known that iron-deficiency anaemia is the last stage of iron deficiency and it is evident that haemoglobin levels alone are inadequate for detecting blood donors with iron deficiency without anaemia.
Studies have also shown that haemoglobin levels may not correlate with iron status.
It follows that individuals at risk of developing iron deficiency can be detected only by estimating serum ferritin levels.
In order to fulfil the global and national drive to recruit and retain regular repeat voluntary blood donors, the iron status of the donors needs to be identified and necessary steps for iron supplementation need to be taken.