Drexler C, et al. - Since frequent blood donations often result in iron deficiency and even anemia—but appropriate detection and prevention strategies are not currently mandatory—researchers compared oral and IV iron supplementation in iron-deficient blood donors, including Austrian regular whole blood and platelet apheresis donors. In addition to other parameters of iron status and blood count, they determined the difference in transferrin saturation between treatment groups 8-12 weeks of iron administration. A single dose of IV ferric carboxymaltose (1,000 mg; n=86) or oral iron(II)fumarate (100 tablets of 100 mg [10 per week]; n=90) was randomly given to 176 healthy male and female blood donors with iron deficiency (ferritin ≤ 30 ng/ml). According to findings, to counteract iatrogenic iron deficiency in blood donors, a single dose of 1,000-mg IV iron is highly effective. However, oral iron also seemed to be an acceptable alternative. Body iron stores assessment should play a key role in maintaining the health of blood donors. The frequency of adverse effects was similar and there were no severe adverse events.