Iron Metabolism in the Anaemia of Chronic Renal Failure. Effects of Dialysis and of Pareuteral Iron. Issue 5664 (26th July 1969)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carter, R. A.; Hawkins, J. B.; Robinson, B. H. B.
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 3:Issue 5664(1969)
• Page Start: 206
• Page End: 210
• Publication Date: 1969-07-26
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.3.5664.206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Serial studies of iron transport in patients on maintenance dialysis showed normal or raised values in almost all subjects and a transient increase soon after the start of dialysis in three. These patients, who were seldom or never transfused, had low serum iron levels and normal iron-binding capacity with low saturation. Iron transport was substantially increased by parenteral iron-dextran treatment. Tracer studies showed good iron utilization, with transport to the marrow rather than to the liver. In these circumstances iron therapy is safe and beneficial, and a useful rise in red cell mass was shown to result from it. The packed cell volume was found to be a valid index of red cell mass in these patients. Red cell loss in the dialysers was insufficient to account for the observed reduction in red cell survival.