Variations in Iron Status Indicators in Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle – A Study of Two Age-Matched Socio-Economic Groups of 18 – 25 Years of Age

Background: Iron requirements are increased in adolescent girls with growth and the onset of menarche and remain high in women until menopause. Methods: We conducted a study on two study groups of girls in age group 18-25 years belonging to different socioeconomic classes as per the Modified Kuppuswamy’s Scale to study the effect of the phases of menstrual cycle & socioeconomic class on the iron status indicators (Hb, Serum Iron, TIBC, MCV & TS%).Menstrual phases were defined and blood samples were drawn from all the girls in all the 3 phases (menstrual, follicular & luteal) and Hb, Serum iron & Total iron binding capacity were assessed on a semi-auto-analyzer & MCV was estimated using a fully automated CBC machine. Transferrin Saturation was derived as Serum Iron / TIBC × 100. Results: We found significant (p< 0.01) difference in iron status indicators in both our groups, the values of iron status indicators varied significantly according to the menstrual cycle, with values highest during the luteal phase and lowest during the menstrual phase. From our observations we can conclude that the nutritional status (assessed by the height, weight & BMI) and the iron status indicators both differ significantly in the two age-matched comparable socio-economic groups. Conclusion: socioeconomic class has a major determining role on an individual’s health. The effect of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle also has a part to play in the variation of iron status measures, which has to be considered while measuring them in a female during her reproductive years.