Current Research in Medical Sciences

en Effectiveness of Oral Iron Supplementation on Hemoglobin in Non-Anemic Women with Serum Ferritin Levels of 15 to 50 Micrograms/Liter هماتولوژی هماتولوژی پژوهشی اصیل Original Article Background: According to medical resources, iron deficiency anemia occurs after the depletion of iron stores when ferritin levels reach 15 micrograms per liter (μg/L) or less. However, clinical experiences show different results. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral iron supplementation on hemoglobin levels in non-anemic women with serum ferritin levels of 15–50 μg/L. Methods: Women aged 18 to 60 years with complaints of fatigue and/or anemia, hemoglobin above 12 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or above 11 g/dL with thalassemia minor characteristics, and ferritin levels of 15 to 50 μg/L were included. Participants were not pregnant and had no underlying acute or chronic disease. Those who did not take iron supplements regularly or did not attend a second appointment were excluded. Patients were treated with a daily oral ferrous sulfate iron supplement containing 50–100 milligrams (mg) of elemental iron for at least six weeks. Laboratory data were compared before and after treatment Results: Fifty-two females with a mean age of 40.23 ± 16.31 years were included. The mean hemoglobin level before treatment was 12.40 ± 1.08 g/dL, increasing to 13.04 ± 1.04 g/dL after treatment (P < 0.001). The mean serum ferritin level increased from 27.51 μg/L before treatment to 51.81 μg/L after treatment (P < 0.001). Hemoglobin increments were also observed in two subgroups: those with ferritin levels of 15–30 μg/L (P < 0.001) and those with levels of 30–50 μg/L (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Oral iron supplementation increases hemoglobin levels in non-anemic women with serum ferritin levels of 15–50 μg/L. It is advisable to consider ferritin levels below 50 μg/L as an indicator of depletion of iron body stores.   Anemia, Iron Supplement, Ferritin. 24 29 http://crms.mubabol.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-279-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Sahar Khosravi saharkhosravi77@yahoo.com 10031947532846002844 10031947532846002844 No Assistant Professor of Hematology & Oncology, Clinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Mahboobeh Mahmoodi mahboobe.m1367@gmail.com 10031947532846002845 10031947532846002845 No Clinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Mohsen Vakili Sadeghi mvakili89@gmail.com 10031947532846002846 10031947532846002846 Yes Associate Professor of Hematology & Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Clinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Hemmat Gholinia h_gholinia@yahoo.com 10031947532846002847 10031947532846002847 No Clinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Majid Majid Nabipuor majidnabipour@yahoo.com 10031947532846002848 10031947532846002848 No Assistant Professor of Hematology & Oncology, Clinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.