EVALUATING PLASMA IRON CONCENTRATION DURING LUTEAL AND MENSTRUAL PHASE OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE IN A POPULATION OF YOUNG FEMALE ADULTS

ABSTRACT

A cyclic event occurs in women of reproductive age, called as menstrual cycle. During this, variation in levels of steroid sex hormones occurs that influences various organs of humans including haematopoiesis. Iron requirements are increased in adolescent girls with growth and the onset of menarche and remain high in women until menopause. This study was aimed at evaluating the variations of plasma iron concentration during the menstrual and luteal phases of menstrual cycle in a population of young female adults. A population of 50 premenopausal healthy subjects within the age range of 18 to 30. Heparinized whole blood samples (5mls) were drawn during the menstrual and luteal phases, and levels of hemoglobin, RBC and hematocrit were assessed and recorded. The data was subjected to statistical analysis. Results showed a significant difference (p<0.05 respectively) in plasma iron concentration in both menstrual and luteal phases with values highest during the luteal phase. While hematological indices such as hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBC showed no significant difference during both phases of the menstrual cycle. In conclusion, the effect of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle plays a part in the variation of iron status measures, which has to be considered while measuring them in a female during her reproductive years.