Effect of parenteral iron treatment on platelet counts in women who do not have concomitant diseases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Iron replacement may change platelet counts. Parenteral iron treatment has different effects on platelets count in some diseases. the aim of this study was to inspect the effect of parenteral ferric carboxymaltose treatment on platelet counts and other hemogram parameters in females who have no other diseases, but iron deficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in a university hospital located in Ankara, Turkey, between January 2020 and October 2021. A total of 239 female participants who were diagnosed with iron deficiency and who were given parenteral ferric carboxymaltose treatment were included in the study. Participants were divided into two groups according to the existence of anemia. Hemogram parameters, ferritin, and C-reactive protein levels before and 3 months after parenteral ferric carboxymaltose treatment were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were increased (P < 0.001) and platelet counts (P < 0.001) and mean platelet volumes (MPVs) (P = 0.015) were decreased after parenteral ferric carboxymaltose treatment. In both groups, hemoglobin levels were increased and platelet counts were decreased, but in the group with patients having anemia, changes in hemoglobin levels and platelet counts were more prominent after treatment (P < 0.001). When compared to initiation of treatment, there was a significant negative correlation after treatment regarding changes in hemoglobin levels and platelet counts (r = ‒0.369, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Parenteral ferric carboxymaltose treatment resulted in a decrease in platelet counts and MPV values compared to initiation of treatment. Parenteral ferric carboxymaltose treatment resulted in decreases in platelet counts and independent from correction of anemia.

Keywords

• ferric carboxymaltose
• iron deficiency
• platelet count