Metabolic studies of iron-poly (sorbitol-gluconic acid) complex, Ferastral

The metabolism of iron-poly (sorbitol-gluconic acid) complex (Ferastral) was studied in 6 blood donors with latent iron deficiency and 13 patients with manifest iron deficiency anaemia. Between 125 and 1 000 mg of iron were injected. In latent deficiency an average of 19% of the dose given was excreted during the first two weeks. The corresponding figure for patients with manifest iron deficiency was 11%. An average of 8% of the dose was retained at the site of injection after 40 days. In the two groups, respectively, 61% (range 47%-70%) and 58% (range 24%-86%) of the iron retained was incorporated into red cells after 40 days, which is judged to be quite satisfactory. Some local side effects were observed.