[The effect of conversion from blood donation to plasma donation on serum ferritin and hemoglobin]

In the present study the effect of a change from whole blood to plasma donation on iron stores is investigated by measuring serum ferritin levels. Paired serum samples from 125 plasma donors showed a significant increase in mean serum ferritin level with plasmapheresis. 76% of the plasma donors showed an increase in serum ferritin. For plasma donors the haemoglobin concentration is not related to serum ferritin level and hence to iron stores, and a change in haemoglobin concentration is not related to a change in serum ferritin. Plasma donation is a good alternative to whole blood donation for fertile women and for blood donors opposed to iron supplements.