Abstract

Iron status was assessed by measuring serum (S-) ferritin and hemoglobin (Hb) in a population survey comprising 1359 nonpregnant Danish women, in age cohorts of 30, 40, 50, and 60 years; 809 were premenopausal and 550 postmenopausal. Median age for menarche was 14 years, for menopause (artificial and natural) 48 years. Premenopausal women had lower S-ferritin (median 37 micrograms/l) than postmenopausal women (median 71 micrograms/l; p less than 0.0001). Of the premenopausal women, 17.7% had S-ferritin less than 15 micrograms/l (i.e., depleted iron stores), and 23.1% S-ferritin of 15-30 micrograms/l (i.e., small iron stores). Corresponding figures in postmenopausal women were 3.3% and 10.3%. Hb values in premenopausal women were mean 137 +/- 10 (SD) g/l (8.5 +/- 0.6 mmol/l) vs. 140 +/- 10 g/l (8.7 +/- 0.6 mmol/l) in postmenopausal women (p less than 0.0001); 4.1% of pre- and 3.3% of postmenopausal women had values less than 121 g/l (7.5 mmol/l). Iron deficiency anemia (i.e., S-ferritin less than 15 micrograms/l and Hb less than 121 g/l) was found in 2.6% of pre- and 0.36% of postmenopausal women. Premenopausal multipara had lower S-ferritin than nulli- and unipara (p less than 0.04). The use of oral contraceptives had a marked influence on iron stores; premenopausal women taking the pill had higher S-ferritin and a lower frequency of depleted iron reserves than nonusers (p less than 0.01). Postmenopausal estrogen treatment had no influence on S-ferritin or Hb.

PIP:

Iron status was assessed by measuring serum (S-) ferritin and hemoglobin (Hb) in a population survey which comprised 1359 nonpregnant Danish women in age cohorts of 30, 40, 50, and 60 years: 809 were premenopausal and 550 postmenopausal. Median age for menarche was 14 years and for menopause (either artificial or natural) was 48 years. Premenopausal women had lower S-ferritin (median 37 mcg/1) than postmenopausal women (median 71 mcg/1; p 0.0001). Of the premenopausal women, 17.7% had S-ferritin 15 mcg/1 (depleted iron stores), and 23.1% had S-ferritin of 15-30 mcg/1 (small iron stores). Corresponding figures in postmenopausal women were 3.3% and 10.3%. Hb values in premenopausal women were mean 137 +or- 10 (SD) g/l (8.5 +or- 0.6 mmol/l) vs 140 +or- 10 g/l (8.7 +or- 0.6 mmol/l) in postmenopausal women (p 0.0001); 4.1% of pre- and 3.3% of postmenopausal women has values 121 g/l (7.5 mmol/1). Iron deficiency anemia (s-ferritin 15 mcg/l and Hb 121 g/l) was found in 2.6% of pre- and 0.36% of postmenopausal women. Premenopausal multipara had lower S-ferritin than nullipara or unipara (p 0.04). The use of oral contraceptives has a significant influence on iron stores; premenopausal women who took the pill had higher S-ferritin and lower frequency of depleted iron reserves than nonusers (p 0.01). Postmenopausal estrogen treatment had no influence on s-ferritin or Hb.author's modified

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