No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Serum ferritin, hemoglobin, serum iron and transferrin iron-binding capacity were evaluated in 107 healthy female students. 21 women had a serum ferritin of 12 µg/l or less, corresponding to an exhaustion of body iron stores. After 1 month of iron supplementation, significant increase of hemoglobin concentration and decrease of total iron-binding capacity were observed. Mean serum ferritin had increased from 24 to 41 µg/l, and all women had a serum ferritin above 12 µg/l. 1 month after the end of the trial, serum ferritin fell significantly. This study points out the problem of serum ferritin reference values and the definition of normal iron stores in menstruating women.

Dietary iron intake has been estimated in 337 healthy, menstruating women, of high social conditions by dietary histories. The mean daily iron intake was 11 ± 0.13 mg, of which 33% was supplied by meat and fish, whereas fruits and vegetables supplied 29%. The mean daily energy intake was 2,088 ± 27 kcal (8,723 ± 113 kJ). In 96.5% of the women, iron intake was lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (16–18 mg daily). There was a significantly positive correlation between energy intake and iron intake (r = 0.77; p < 10^-9). Therefore, the low iron intake may be considered as a consequence of a decrease in the energy intake observed during the last decades in industrialized countries. Iron fortification of one or several foods seems to be advisable to compensate, at least, partly iron intake deficiency.