PATTERN OF IRON EXCRETION IN RELATION TO HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL AND IRON LOAD IN 8 HEMATOLOGICAL PATIENTS FOLLOWING THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUBCUTANEOUS DEFERRIOXAMINE

Iron excretion following subcutaneous administration of deferrioxamine (DFO) was measured between two transfusions of packed red cells in 6 patients with beta-thalassaemia major on the high level Hb transfusion regime; and in a single 3-day period in 2 other patients, 1 with tran sfused beta-thalassaemia major and the other with haemolytic anaemia d ue to PK deficiency. The pattern of iron excretion did not change sign ificantly during the period between the two transfusions and was found to be related to serum ferritin levels. The proportion of iron excret ed in the stools was inversely related to the serum ferritin level. Th ese observations on iron excretion are of practical importance in rela tion to DFO administration, especially when evaluated in thalassaemics with normal haemoglobin levels and low iron stores.