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BACKGROUND: Regular blood donors are at risk of iron deficiency, but characteristics that predispose to this condition are poorly defined.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 2425 red blood cell donors, either first‐time (FT) or reactivated donors (no donations for 2 years) or frequent donors, were recruited for follow‐up. At enrollment, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and hemoglobin were determined. Donor variables included demographics, smoking, dietary intake, use of iron supplements, and menstrual and/or pregnancy history. Models to predict two measures of iron deficiency were developed: Absent iron stores (AIS) were indicated by a ferritin level of less than 12 ng/mL and iron‐deficient erythropoiesis (IDE) by a log(sTfR/ferritin) value of 2.07 or greater.

RESULTS: A total of 15.0% of donors had AIS and 41.7% IDE. In frequent donors, 16.4 and 48.7% of males had AIS and IDE, respectively …