We evaluated the effect of repeated apheresis on storage iron status in 82 males and 138 females. Storage iron was calculated according to the formula proposed by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) as previously described. Calculated storage iron after repeated apheresis was 362±282mg in male donors and 128±176mg in females. These values were significantly lower than those in normal subjects and 400-ml repeated whole blood donors. A total of 12.2% of males and 45.7% of females were in negative iron balance before donation. The high prevalence of storage iron deficiencfy may be due to residual blood in the circuit or other factors.
