Study of iron status indicators in different phases of menstrual cycle in first year medical college females

Abstract

Background: Iron requirements are increased in adolescent girls with growth and the onset of menarche and remain high in women until menopause.Methods: We conducted a study on first year medical college female students (age group 18-25 years) belonging to socioeconomic classes 1 and 2 as per the Modified Kuppuswamy’s Scale to study the effect of the phases of menstrual cycle on the iron status indicators (ISI) (Hb, Serum Iron, TIBC, MCV and TS%). Menstrual phases were defined and blood samples were drawn from all the girls in all the 3 phases (menstrual, follicular and luteal) and Hb, Serum iron and Total iron binding capacity were assessed on a semi-auto-analyzer and MCV was estimated using a fully automated CBC machine. Transferrin Saturation was derived as Serum Iron / TIBC × 100.Results: We found significant (p<0.01) difference in iron status indicators (ISI) that varied significantly in accordance to the menstrual cycle, with values highest during the luteal phase and lowest during the menstrual phase.Conclusions: The effect of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle plays a part in the variation of iron status measures, which has to be considered while measuring them in a female during her reproductive years.