Ferritin, a faithful reflection of iron deficiency in IUD wearers with mild vaginal spotting.
In a group of 34 parous women, mean age 36.2 years, fitted with a copper-releasing IUD (18 with Multiload 250 or 375, and 16 with Nova T) the following parameters were assessed before and 4 months after the device insertion: hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron and ferritin. The only complaint of all patients was the shortening of the menstrual cycle, from 28 +/- 1.2 to 26.8 +/- 1.9 days, and the longer period of days with vaginal spotting (from 3.9 +/- 1.1 to 7.1 +2- 1.0 days). While Hb, HTC and iron remained within normal limits, there was a drastic fall in ferritin, from 24.2 +/- 16.4 to 9.3 +/- 8.7 ng/ml (p less than 0.01), a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Periodic ferritin assessment and iron treatment, if needed, should be the first choice. Removal of the IUD is recommended only when ferritin remains low after antifibrinolytic, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, and iron therapy.
Blum
M
M
Family Planning Clinic, Mishmar Hayarden, Kupat Holim, Dan District, Israel.
Ariel
J
J
Zacharowitch
D
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008598:Menstruation; D008875:Middle Aged
D006454:Hemoglobins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron