Levels of Serum Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity, Transferrin Saturation Fraction and Packed Cell Volume of Blood Donors in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the serum iron and total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation fraction and packed cell volume of blood donors in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. Serum iron concentration (SI), Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Transferrin Saturation Fraction (TSF) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) showed mean values of 16.60 ± 2.93umol/l, 62.20 ±4.02umol/l, 27.20 ± 3.00% and 0.398 ± .030l/l respectively for the blood donors. These values were not significantly (p>05) different from that reported for the control subjects (Serum Iron, 17.50 ± 1.80umol/l. Total Iron Binding Capacity, 61.70 ± 3.43umol/l, Transferrin Saturation Fraction, 28.60 ± 3.37% and Pack Cell Volume 0.410 ± 0.37 l/l respectively). However, the Sl, 16.60 ± 2.93umol/l, TSF, 27.20 ± 3.00% and PCV 0.398+0.30l/l respectively of blood donors from Calabar in South-Eastern part of Nigeria were significantly (p>0.50) lower than values obtained from Ibadan (Sl, 19.06 ± 1.00umol/l, TSF, 35.10 ± 1.90%, PCV, 0.451 ± .068l/l) in South-Western part of Nigeria. Age did not significantly (p>0.05) influence the levels of Sl, TIBC, TSF and PCV of the donors and controls in this study. From this study it is observed that there may be regional differences in the iron parameters suggesting regular nutritional education for the donors on the importance of improving their nutritional status.