Clinical evaluation of iron metabolism in pancreatic disease

In order to estimate the possible influence of pancreatic disease upon iron absorption, fecal analysis was carried out after administration of 5 mg iron labeled with 59Fe. Twelve cases of pancreatic calcification, 7 cases of chronic pancreatitis, 3 cases each of pancreatectomy and miscellaneous diseases, and 52 cases for control were studied. Significant elevation of iron absorption was observed in 4 or 21 patients with pancreatic diseases. Two of the 4 cases were also found to have low transferrin saturation and the other two have had a long history of heavy alcoholic intake. There was no definite correlation between the iron absorption rate and the total bicarbonate secretion, and duration of the diseases. Three cases treated with pancreatectomy failed to show increased iron absorption. The alternative administration of 59Fe and 55Fe for consecutive 4 days either alone or together with pancreatin or secretin was done to see the effect of these preparations on iron absorption. No significant inhibitory effect of these preparations on the iron absorption was noticed. These observations suggest that exocrine pancreatic function seldom appears to influence directly iron absorption, and that iron deficiency and ingestion of alcoholic beverages can be important factors affecting the iron absorption in pancreatic diseases.