What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the effectiveness of ferritin-guided donation intervals on hemoglobin and iron levels in blood donors.

March 1, 2026Journal of Marine Fisheries

Effectiveness of Ferritin-guided Donation Intervals in Blood Donors: results of the Stepped Wedge Cluster-randomised FIND’EM Trial

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Cluster-randomized trial shows ferritin-guided intervals improve hemoglobin and reduce iron deficiency in donors.

To evaluate the effectiveness of ferritin-guided donation intervals on hemoglobin and iron levels in blood donors.
Stepped-wedge cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted across blood centers in the Netherlands.
Ferritin levels were measured in new donors and every fifth donation.
Donation intervals were extended based on ferritin levels to six or twelve months.
Ferritin levels increased significantly, with a log-transformed increase of up to 0.56 ng/mL.
Hemoglobin levels rose by up to 0.39 g/dL.
There were decreased odds of iron deficiency (13%) and Hb deferral (20%).
Donor return rates decreased throughout the trial.
No improvement was found in self-reported iron deficiency-related symptoms.

Meulenbeld et al. (2023) studied this question.

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