IRON STORES IN 1433, 30-YEAR-OLD TO 60-YEAR-OLD DANISH MALES - EVALUATION BY SERUM FERRITIN AND HEMOGLOBIN

Iron status including S-ferritin and haemoglobin (Hb) was assessed in a population survey comprising 1433 Danish males in age cohorts of 30, 40, 50 and 60 years. There was no significant difference in S-ferritin levels between the age groups. In the entire series, median S-ferritin was 126-mu-g l-1, 5-95% tile 31-378-mu-g l-1, range 5-3600-mu-g l-1; 1.2% had values < 15-mu-g l-1 (i.e. depleted iron stores), 3.7% values from 15- 30-mu-g l-1 (i.e. small iron stores), and 95.1% values > 30-mu-g l-1 (i.e. replete iron stores); 73.8% had values from 61-300-mu-g l-1, and 9.5% values > 300-mu-g l-1. Blood donors had lower S-ferritin than non-donors and a higher frequency of depleted iron stores (p < 0.0001), Hb values showed no age variation; median values was 155 g l-1 (9.6 mmol l-1), 5-95% tile 137-171 g l-1 (8.5- 10.6 mmol l-1). Hb values < 129 g l-1 (8.0 mmol l-1) were observed in 1.7%, and values < 121 g l-1 (7.5 mmol l-1) in 0.8%. Males with S-ferritin < 15-mu-g l-1 (n = 17) had lower Hb, median 148 g l-1 (9.2 mmol l-1), than those with S-ferritin greater-than-or-equal-to 15-mu-g l-1, median 155 g l-1 (9.6 mmol l-1) (p < 0.05). Iron deficiency anaemia (S-ferritin < 15-mu-g l-1 and Hb < 129 g l-1) was seen in 0.14% of the males. There was no relation between S-ferritin and nutritional iron intake. The results indicate that iron intake and absorption was sufficient in 99.9%, of the males to meet the requirements for erythropoiesis, and sufficient in 95% to establish appreciable iron reserves.