ERYTHROCYTE PRODUCTION IN IRON-DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Erythrocyte production was measured in 21 iron deficiency anemia patie nts after therapy with parenteral iron. The red cell mass was measured twice with Cr-51 and red blood cell survival by labeling with Cr-51. I, all cases, erythrocyte production increased in the 12 h following p arenteral iron administration (dextran or polysaccharide-iron oxide). Production increased sharply for 3 to 6 days, remained high for 2 or 3 days and fell sharply thereafter. It is suggested that this fall is n ot due to a lack of available iron.