Impact of Blood Donation on Iron Homeostasis: A Comprehensive Analysis of Serum Iron and Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC) Levels in Donors

Background and Objective: Blood donation is a vital practice that supports healthcare systems by providing a steady supply of blood for transfusion. However, frequent blood donation may significantly impact iron metabolism, leading to altered biochemical parameters such as serum iron and Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of blood donation on iron homeostasis, specifically by assessing the levels of serum iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) among blood donors. Materials and Methods: The study recruited 60 male participants, comprising 30 blood donors and 30 non-donors, with mean ages of 24.8±4.13 and 22.3±2.82 years, respectively. Blood samples were analyzed using paired samples t-tests and results were expressed as Mean±SD. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The findings revealed significantly lower serum iron levels in blood donors (57.64±71.43 μg/dL) compared to non-donors (223.547±172.16 μg/dL) (p = 0.001). Conversely, TIBC was significantly higher in blood donors (731.74±166.71 μg/dL) than in non-donors (546.47±96.76 μg/dL) (p = 0.005). These differences indicate that frequent blood donation depletes serum iron levels while triggering a compensatory increase in TIBC to enhance iron mobilization and absorption. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of monitoring iron levels in blood donors to prevent deficiency. Preventive strategies like dietary counseling, supplementation and optimized donation intervals can help maintain donor health and a safe blood donation system.