Serum Iron and Hemoglobin Values of 275 Healthy Women. ∗

Abstract

Summary

(1) The serum iron and hemoglobin values were determined for 275 healthy women ranging in age from 17 to 86 years. Mean values for all women were 116 ± 33 μg% and 13.2 ± 0.9 g%, respectively. (2) Analysis of variance indicated a difference of serum iron levels among different age groups which was significant at the 1% level. The regression coefficient of serum iron on age was —.343, indicating a decrease of serum iron with advancing age. This decrease was not accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin values, nor was there a correlation between serum iron and whether the menopause had been reached or passed. (3) There is no apparent nutritional or medical significance to the decrease of serum iron levels with age in healthy women.