BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Iron depletion is common in regular blood donors. The 
objective of the study was to investigate the frequency and severity of iron 
depletion in regular blood donors and whether IV iron is more effective than 
oral to avoid iron depletion and symptoms thereof, especially restless legs 
syndrome (RLS).
METHOD: One hundred and twenty blood donors with at least five previous whole 
blood donations were randomized to receive either IV iron sucrose (Venofer(®), 
RenaPharma/Vifor, Uppsala, Sweden), 200 mg, or to 20×100 mg of oral iron 
sulphate (Duroferon(®), GlaxoSmithKline, Stockholm, Sweden), after each blood 
donation during 1 year. Iron status and RLS incidence and severity were 
investigated.
RESULTS: Iron status was generally poor among regular blood donors, especially 
in women, with a high incidence of iron depletion (>20%) and RLS (18%). The IV 
iron group increased storage iron to a greater extent than the oral iron group 
after 12 months (P=0·0043). Female donors were more responsive to IV iron 
sucrose compared to oral iron sulphate, particularly female donors below 50 
years of age. RLS severity scores were significantly lower in the IV iron group. 
The two treatments were safe.
CONCLUSION: Iron status is poor in regular blood donors, restless legs syndrome 
is common, and the routine iron supplementation is insufficient. IV iron sucrose 
substitutes iron loss in blood donors more efficiently compared with oral iron 
sulphate, especially in women. Iron substitution to blood donors should be 
individualized and based on P-ferritin monitoring.