The influence of a combined oral contraceptive on the absorption of iron.

To determine whether oral contraceptives improve iron absorption despite their lack of influence on hemoglobin level iron absorption before and after combined pills was studied in 6 Swedish women. Blood loss was controlled by removing blood during tests. Confirming previous results menstrual blood loss decreased total-iron-binding capacity increased plasma iron increased. Iron absorption increased to the same degree after menstrual bleeding as after withdrawl bleeding and phlebotomy but absorption was not changed or oral contraception. The authors propose that heightened plasma iron may be due to mobilization from stores rather than to absorption from diet.