[Changes in the biochemical indices in iron-deficiency erythropoiesis]

In 608 patients with iron-deficiency anemia the following indices were examined: serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, serum ferritin, hemoglobin, free protoporphyrin, reduced glutathione as well as the activity of porphobilinogen synthetase in the erythrocytes. Increased of free protoporphyrin and of reduces glutathione as well as increased activity of porphobilinogen synthetase were found which the authors accept as an expression of iron-deficiency erythropoiesis. Serum ferritin was lowered but in many patients its level did not indicate totally exhausted iron reserves despite the well expressed anemia accompanied by a low serum iron level and transferrin saturation. In these patients an additional pathogenetic mechanism is supposed leading to retaining of some quantity of iron in the cells of the monocytic-macrophagal system.