Iron balance in young Burmese women

ABSTRACT

Hb determination, packed cell volume, serum iron and total iron-binding capacity, menstrual iron loss and dietary iron intake were determined in 109 healthy young Burmese nurses. The mean Hb concentration was 12.8 g/100 ml, the mean serum iron 112.5 ug/100 ml, the mean menstrual blood loss 34.5 ml/per period, the mean menstrual iron loss 14.3 mg/per period, and the average dietary iron intake per head per day was 30mg by the food composite analysis method. When grouped according to amount of menstrual iron loss it was found that the mean Hb concentration did not differ but that the serum iron showed a statistically insignificant trend towards lower values in those with a higher loss. The 24-hour urinary excretion of iron after desferrioxamine injection was below 5oo u/g in 4 out of 7on whom it was done.