Abstract

Haemoglobin, haematocrit, and plasma iron values were estimated on blood samples collected from 100 male and 113 female National Blood Transfusion Service blood donors, and from 83 male and 66 female age-matched control subjects. No significant differences in any of these values were found to exist between the donors and controls, and it is considered that the serum or plasma iron level is unsuitable for use as a screening test of early iron deficiency in donors.