KIND

There is little knowledge about the response of the body to iron loss caused by blood donation. The kinetics of iron after whole blood donation will be investigated by comparing new whole blood donors with frequent whole blood donors.

The effect of whole blood donation on iron kinetics, iron absorption and iron incorporation in erythrocytes will be studied. Therefore, donors will be followed for a period of six months after whole blood donation. Furthermore, it will be investigated what is the most adequate parameter to detect iron deficiency in whole blood donors. With the results of this study we want to determine the donation interval for whole blood donors on a more personalized level and thereby reduce the number of deferrals due to low hemoglobin levels.