Iron status markers, serum ferritin and hemoglobin in 1359 Danish women in relation to menstruation, hormonal contraception, parity, and postmenopausal hormone treatment.
Iron status was assessed by measuring serum (S-) ferritin and hemoglobin (Hb) in a population survey comprising 1359 nonpregnant Danish women, in age cohorts of 30, 40, 50, and 60 years; 809 were premenopausal and 550 postmenopausal. Median age for menarche was 14 years, for menopause (artificial and natural) 48 years. Premenopausal women had lower S-ferritin (median 37 micrograms/l) than postmenopausal women (median 71 micrograms/l; p less than 0.0001). Of the premenopausal women, 17.7% had S-ferritin less than 15 micrograms/l (i.e., depleted iron stores), and 23.1% S-ferritin of 15-30 micrograms/l (i.e., small iron stores). Corresponding figures in postmenopausal women were 3.3% and 10.3%. Hb values in premenopausal women were mean 137 +/- 10 (SD) g/l (8.5 +/- 0.6 mmol/l) vs. 140 +/- 10 g/l (8.7 +/- 0.6 mmol/l) in postmenopausal women (p less than 0.0001); 4.1% of pre- and 3.3% of postmenopausal women had values less than 121 g/l (7.5 mmol/l). Iron deficiency anemia (i.e., S-ferritin less than 15 micrograms/l and Hb less than 121 g/l) was found in 2.6% of pre- and 0.36% of postmenopausal women. Premenopausal multipara had lower S-ferritin than nulli- and unipara (p less than 0.04). The use of oral contraceptives had a marked influence on iron stores; premenopausal women taking the pill had higher S-ferritin and a lower frequency of depleted iron reserves than nonusers (p less than 0.01). Postmenopausal estrogen treatment had no influence on S-ferritin or Hb.
Milman
N
N
Department of Medicine Y, Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark.
Kirchhoff
M
M
Jørgensen
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003718:Denmark; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D006454:Hemoglobins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron