Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue
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Regular blood donation can lead to iron deficiency. Screening donors' serum ferritin levels at the time of first donation and subsequently once every year is a very rational way to pick up iron deficiency in a voluntary blood donor population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of blood donation and the prevalence of erythropoiesis with iron deficiency (sideropenia) in Saudi male blood donors. ⋯ The results of this study show that an increase in the number of donations results in an increase in the frequency of depleted iron stores and subsequently in erythropoiesis with iron deficiency, although the level of haemoglobin remained acceptable for blood donation. This result may indicate the need to review the guidelines on acceptance of donors.