Natural history of haemoglobin levels in female blood donors with haemoglobin levels of 120-124 g/l at presentation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In order to assess the effects of proposed changes to UK guidelines, female blood donors with venous haemoglobin (Hb) levels of 120-124 g/l were followed up over a period of 18 months in order to assess frequency of attendance and ability to donate in relation to changes in Hb and red cell indices, and to determine the effects of inter-donation interval and iron supplementation on outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Venous samples were analysed using the Haemocue haemoglobinometer at each attendance, and a donation was taken if the Hb was 120 g/l or greater. Full blood counts were done on each sample using the Coulter Model T890. A postal questionnaire was used to elicit additional information, including use of iron supplements.

RESULTS

The 392 donors enrolled in the study gave 655 subsequent attendances, resulting in 468 donations (1.5 donations/donor/year). Donors who subsequently had Hb <120 g/l had a tendency to lower initial mean corpuscular volume (MCV), but MCV could not be used as an indicator of future performance. 23% of donors reported use of iron supplements, but those donating 3 times or more were no more likely to use iron supplementation (20%). No statistical relationship was found between inter-donation interval and ability to donate at subsequent attendances.

CONCLUSIONS

Female donors with borderline Hb levels proved to be highly committed, with a donation rate of 1. 5/donor/year during the period of follow-up. MCV is not a useful predictor of ability to donate in the future. This subset of the donor population shows wide variation in Hb level over time, and this is largely independent of iron supplementation or inter-donation interval.