Abstract
Background and ObjectivesThere is increasing evidence that frequent blood donation depletes the iron stores of some blood donors. The FinDonor 10 000 study was set up to study iron status and factors affecting iron stores in Finnish blood donors. In Finland, iron supplementation for at‐risk groups has been in place since the 1980s.Material and MethodsA total of 2584 blood donors (N = 8003 samples) were recruited into the study alongside standard donation at three donation sites in the capital region of Finland between 5/2015 and 12/2017. All participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their health and lifestyle. Blood samples were collected from the sample pouch of whole blood collection set, kept in cool temperature and processed centrally. Whole blood count, CRP, ferritin and sTFR were measured from the samples, and DNA was isolated for GWAS studies.ResultsParticipant demographics, albeit in general similar to the general blood donor population in Finland, indicated some bias towards older and more frequent donors. Participation in the study increased median donation frequency of the donors. Analysis of the effect of time lag from the sampling to the analysis and the time of day when sample was drawn revealed small but significant time‐dependent changes.ConclusionThe FinDonor cohort now provides us with tools to identify potential donor groups at increased risk of iron deficiency and factors explaining this risk. The increase in donation frequency during the study suggests that scientific projects can be used to increase the commitment of blood donors.
Highlights
200–250 mg of iron is drawn in a standard blood donation; this amount accounts for 25% of average tissue iron stores in men and up to 75% in women
The present cohort was collected primarily for studies investigating the effects of regular blood donation on donors’ health, in particular regarding iron stores and factors regulating them in a population with a long-standing systematic iron replacement policy
Recent literature suggests that the stability of blood count parameters in cool storage is process- and device-specific, and it should be addressed in every cohort [23,24]
Summary
200–250 mg of iron is drawn in a standard blood donation; this amount accounts for 25% of average tissue iron stores in men and up to 75% in women. There is compelling evidence that a portion of blood donors may become iron depleted or deficient. For example, in the United States 35% of frequent blood donors were found to be iron deficient [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The iron removed by blood donation should be replaced by dietary iron. Another tool to ensure correction of iron stores is the minimum time interval between blood donations, which must be balanced between donor health issues and blood demand. There is increasing evidence that frequent blood donation depletes the iron stores of some blood donors. The FinDonor 10 000 study was set up to study iron status and factors affecting iron stores in Finnish blood donors. In Finland, iron supplementation for at-risk groups has been in place since the 1980s
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