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Zinc Status Relates to Hematological Deficits in Middle-Aged Women

Department of Pediatrics (S.N., A.H., I.M.), Kumamoto University, School of Medicine, JAPAN
Kikuchi Yojoen Health Care Center, (K.I.), JAPAN
Ashikita Institution for Disabilities in Development (T.M.), JAPAN

Address reprint requests to: Soroku Nishiyama, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Kumamoto University, School of Medicine, Honjo 1-1-1, Kumamoto, 860, JAPAN

Objective: The objective of our study was to investigate zinc (Zn) status and the effects of Zn supplementation in relation to iron deficiency anemia in middle-aged women. It is important to define the role of Zn in hematologic abnormalities and to determine the frequency of Zn deficiency.

Methods: Fifty-two Japanese women, selected from a health examination survey on 6200 women, had hemoglobin concentrations below 12.0 g/dl, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) below 390 µg/dl and fairly normocytemia. These 52 were divided into three groups and we then compared the hematological status before and after iron (group A) or Zn (group B) or iron plus Zn (group C) supplementation.

Results: After treatment, concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb) increased slightly in groups A and B, but not statistically significant. In group C, Hb levels were significantly increased from 10.8±1.1 to 12.8±1.1 g/dl. Furthermore, numbers of RBC and reticulocytes, and concentrations of albumin were also increased significantly. Increased values over 1.0 g/dl of hemoglobin levels were noted in four women (26.6%) in group A, three women (14.2%) in group B and 13 women (81.2%) in group C.

Conclusion: Zn status to some extent can account for hematological abnormalities in middle-aged women. At least 5.0% of middle-aged Japanese women may have Zn deficiency. Normocytic anemia with low TIBC levels may serve as a good indicator of a marginal Zn deficiency.

Key words: women, anemia, zinc deficiency, iron deficiency

Abbreviations: RBC=red blood cells • TIBC=total iron binding capacity • MCV=mean corpuscular volume • MCH=mean corpuscular hemoglobin

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