[Iron balance in hemodialysis in chronic uremia]

In 24 hemodialyzed uremic patients the serum levels of iron, ferritin, transferrin and parathyroid hormone were determined and the iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract after an oral load was studied. Moderately elevated iron levels but extremely high concentrations of ferritin in the blood serum were found. A significant positive correlation was found between serum ferritin and iron levels as well as between serum ferritin and the cumulative volume of transfused blood. No correlation was stated between serum PTH and ferritin levels. No abnormality in iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract was found. The obtained results suggest the necessity of monitoring ferritin levels as a reliable indicator of whole body iron stores in hemodialyzed uremic patients. Hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands does not seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of abnormal iron metabolism in hemodialyzed patients.