EFFECT OF BLOOD-TRANSFUSION ON SERUM IRON AND TRANSFERRIN SATURATION

The effect of transfusion of packed red blood cells on serum iron leve l, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation was studied . Samples of blood from 37 hemodynamically stable patients were obtain ed for analysis at various intervals following the transfusion of pack ed red blood cells. In 10 patients with possible iron deficiency, a si gnificant rise in serum iron level and transferrin saturation occurred during the 24 hours following transfusion, which persisted at a margi nally significant level up to 36 hours. In the remaining 27 patients, a significant rise was also noted in serum iron level and transferrin saturation results, but the rise did not persist beyond the 24 hours a fter transfusion. No change in total iron-binding capacity was noted i n either group. These data show that the diagnosis of iron deficiency (based on a transferrin saturation of <0.16) might be missed if iron s tudies are performed on patients within 24 hours following packed red blood cell transfusion. Therefore, if serum iron studies are obtained for patients suspected of having iron deficiency anemia, these studies are best done on blood samples obtained before blood transfusion.