IRON METABOLISM. IRON STORES IN MAN AS MEASURED BY PHLEBOTOMY 1

Abstract

Fe stores in man were measured by the detn. of Fe mobilized for red cell production following repeated phlebotomy. In normal young men, 1200 to 1500 mg. could be mobilized in 4 mos.; that this represented virtually the entire store of available Fe was indicated by retarded hematopoiesis toward the end of the bleeding period. Individuals with normal blood levels, but with histories of repeated blood donations, were able to mobilize only 200 mg. Subjects with increased Fe stored, patients with hemochromatosis and their relatives, and normal subjects taking supplementary oral Fe, were able to mobilize far greater amts. Prolonged supplementary Fe feeding prior to the phlebotomies had little effect on the size of the stores in the normal. Once Fe stores had been depleted, they were rebuilt slowly, either from a normal diet or from supplementary oral Fe.