Assessment of Diurnal Variation of Serum Iron Levels among Healthy Individuals in Khartoum State

Abstract

Background: Serum iron levels vary throughout the day, morning samples were assumed to be higher than afternoon or evening levels. This descriptive observational case study was conducted during June to August 2013 in Khartoum state to determine the diurnal variation of serum iron among healthy individuals. Material and method: A total of 70 apparently healthy individuals ranging in age from17to35 years, were included in this study, 44.5% of them were males and 55.5% of them were females. Serum iron level was determined by FerroZine-iron complex spectrophotometry on blood specimens obtained from volunteers at 8 A.M and 5PM automatically by using COBAS INTEGRA system analyzer and categorized by age, sexand sample time collection in all the study subjects. Result: The result showed there was diurnal variation of serum iron, and there was significantly difference in morning (at 8am) and evening (at 5pm) samples (P.value=0.00) related to age and gender. Conclusion: There was obvious difference between morning and evening concentration of serum iron and there was a significant change in results according to gender.