Evaluation of S-ferritin levels in blood donors in Region Jönköpings Län

Iron deficiency is common in frequent blood donors. At Ryhov blood center, hemoglobin and ferritin levels are measured in all newly registered blood donors. After June 2017, additional control for S-ferritin levels was added after the 4th and 5th blood donation, in women and men, respectively. The study aimed to evaluate S-ferritin levels in newly registered blood donors in 2018 and compare the number of rejected donors between men and women. Moreover, to compare S-ferritin levels between new registration and follow-up and compare the number of screening controls in 2016 with 2020. The study included all newly registered and rejected blood donors in 2018. Additionally, blood donors who were newly registered during 2018–2019 and underwent the follow-up S-ferritin control between 2018–2021 were included. The number of newly registered in 2018 was 544 blood donors, 17% were rejected due to low S-ferritin levels where all were women. Results showed that S-ferritin levels decreased at follow-up and the difference was greater in men than women. However, women had lower S-ferritin levels at new registration compared to men. The study could not show that follow-up S-ferritin control has an effect in reducing the number of screenings controls.