Assessment of Iron Loss in Menstruating Female Students in a Nigerian University
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Polit Umanka Yelpoji
Adeniyi Wunmi Halima
Iorkosu Terungwa Salvin
Osanyinbi Babatude Ifeayi
Solomon Matthias Gamde*
Atsen Bitrus
Godsave Binlak Wazhi
Bitty Williams Azachi
Biringmiap K Linus
Tilako Bello Halilu
James Garba Damen
Menstruation is a periodic physiological process of blood discharge in women of reproductive age. It is associated with normal adaptive variation in iron depletion, which could lead to pathological depletion of iron stores. This study assessed iron status before and after menstruation among menstruating female students. A longitudinal and paired comparative study was conducted in 42 female students. A structured questionnaire was administered, and blood samples were collected pre- and post-menstruation. A semi-automated analyzer (Chem 535) was used to measure serum iron (SI) and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), while transferrin saturation (TSAT) was calculated. Data were analyzed according to age, duration of menstrual flow, and degree of menstrual flow, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Serum iron recorded a significant decrease from 19.41 ± µmol/L before menstruation to 16.14 µmol/L after menstruation (p = 0.001), while TIBC recorded a significant increase from 30.81 µmol/L pre-menstruation to 36.04 µmol/L post-menstruation (p = 0.001). TSAT declined significantly from 66.67% pre-menstruation to 48.44% post-menstruation (p = 0.001). Although all age groups showed reductions in serum iron and TSAT and increases in TIBC following menstruation, the differences between age groups were not statistically significant (serum iron, p = 0.078; TIBC, p = 0.150; TSAT, p = 0.082). Menstruation was associated with an acute reduction in serum iron and transferrin saturation, with increased total iron-binding capacity, indicating measurable acute iron loss among menstruating female students. The duration and degree of menstrual flow did not influence the extent of these changes.
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