IRON-ABSORPTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC UREMIA ON MAINTENANCE HEMODIALYSIS AND IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS MEASURED WITH A SIMPLE ORAL IRON LOADTEST

Gastrointestinal iron absorption was measured by an oral iron load tes t in patients with uremia on maintenance hemodialysis (n = 19), with i ron overload (n = 9), iron deficiency (n = 10) and in healthy voluntee rs (n = 9). After an overnight fast, serum iron was measured before, a nd 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after administration of 100 mg ferrous chloride. Bo ne marrow iron was assessed after staining with Prussian blue. The stu dy shows that iron absorption is impaired in uremic patients. Even ure mic subjects with iron deficiency absorbed significantly less than nor mal subjects. Patients with iron overload and uremia absorbed even les s, showing that the iron status of the patient influences absorption a lso in uremia.