[Iron, copper and zinc content in healthy persons and iron-deficiency anemia patients]

The content of the microelements (ME) iron, copper and zinc was determined in healthy subjects and patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), aged 17 to 86, subdivided into three groups: First group--51 healthy females with iron, copper and zinc levels, close to those reported in literature, the same values used for the control groups. The second group--61 females with IDA had mean copper value higher than the control norms and those of the other authors--23,842 mumol/l (151.48 mkg%). Zinc content in serum was lower than the norm. A parallel determination of serum iron was performed according to Beta-phenantroline method and AAC method with affirmative aim. The IDA group were distributed into three subgroups, depending on the causes, leading to iron deficiency: First subgroup--28 patients with undistinguished cause of iron deficiency: Second subgroup--19 patients with diseases, causing acute and chronic blood losses. Third subgroup--14 patients with various diseases (inflammatory diseases, states after difficult operations, hemopathies, etc.) without blood loss. Low serum iron was found in the three subgroups, determined according to both methods and high ISC. Serum copper level was high in the first and second subgroups, being highest in some patients with uterine myoma and gastric polyps. Serum zinc level was decreased in the second and third subgroups. The normal values of zinc in the serum of the first subgroup were associated with the absence of blood loss. Zinc is recommended to be added to the treatment of IDA.