Serum Iron Status and Blood Hemoglobin Concentration During Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle in Sedentary Females

Abstract

Objective: To determine the serum iron status and blood hemoglobin concentration during different phases of menstrual cycle in sedentry females.
Material and Methods: Fifty healthy sedentary unmarried females of 22 to 25 years of age were recruited in the present study to determine the changes in serum iron status and blood hemoglobin concentration during different phases of menstrual cycle. Menstrual history was recorded on a qustionnaire. Oral temperature, blood hemoglobin and serum iron levels were measured during various phases of the menstrual cycle.
Results: Their average duration of menstrual cycle was 28 to 32 days. Luteal phase had slightly higher value of oral temperature than the follicular and flow phases of menstrual cycle. Significantly (P<0.05) lower values of blood hemoglobin concentration and serum iron level were noted during the flow phase in comparison with follicular and luteal phases. Correlation statistic revealed significant relationship between serum iron level and blood hemoglobin concentration during follicular (r=0.602, P<0.05), luteal (r=0.611, P<0.05) and flow (r=0.653, P<0.05) phases of menstrual cycle.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that, in the studied population oral temperature increases in the luteal and flow phases compared to the follicular phase and the blood hemoglobin concentration was lower in the flow phase in comparison with follicular and luteal phases. However, serum iron level decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the flow phase. J Med Sci 2009;12(1):8-10