Effectiveness of iron supplementation (6- and 12- weeks) on hematological parameters among non-anemic iron deficient female students

According to the current protocols made by international organizations, the duration of iron supplementation depends on the severity of iron deficiency, ranging from 3 to 6 months in individuals with iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia, respectively. This study was performed to compare 6 and 12 weeks iron supplementations on iron status among a group of non-anemic iron deficient female students. In this quasi-experimental study 53 female students were selected. Students were divided into two groups. Control group were consisted of 30 students who had Hemoglobin level more than 12 ml/dl and serum ferritin level more than 23 ng/dl. Experimental group were 23 non-anemic iron deficient female students with ferritin level less than 23 ng/dl. Experimental group were orally given ferrous fumarate (containing 50 mg iron elemental) daily for three months. Blood samples were collected from experimental group in the beginning, 6 and 12 weeks after the study and for the case group samples were collected in the beginning and at the end of the study and the number of blood cells (CBC), ferritin level and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance and Paired-t tests. Blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations increased after 6 weeks of supplementation among supplemented group, and were remained almost constant until the 12th week (P>0.001). Changes in serum iron concentrations at the end of study were not statistically different between two groups. Similar trend was observed for TIBC. This study showed that 3-month iron supplementation among iron deficient subjects, as advised by WHO, did not further improve iron status in non anemic iron deficient females compared to 6-weeks daily supplementation of 50 mg elemental Iron. It is obvious that these results cannot be considered to anemic subjects.