Clinical Aspects and Laboratory. Iron Metabolism, Anemias

Disturbances of iron metabolism, particularly iron deficiency, are among the most commonly overlooked or misinterpreted diseases. This is due to the fact that the determination of transport iron in serum or plasma, which used to be the test in conventional diagnosis, does not allow a representative estimate of the body's total iron reserves. A proper estimate was formerly possible only by the costly and invasive determination of storage iron in the bone marrow, however, sensitive, well-standardized immuno-chemical methods for the precise determination of the iron storage protein ferritin in plasma are now available. Since the secretion of this protein correctly reflects the iron stores in the majority of cases, these methods permit fast and reliable diagnosis, particularly of iron deficiency conditions. This book is intended to contribute to a better understanding of the main pathophysiological foundations and diagnostic principles.

Introduction Iron Metabolism . Absorption of Iron . Iron Transport . Iron Storage . Iron Distribution . Iron Requirement and Iron Balance . Iron Losses Erythropoiesis Physiological Cell Maturation . Hemoglobin Synthesis . Phagocytosis of Old Erythrocytes . Hemoglobin Degradation Disturbances of Iron Metabolism/Disturbances of Erythropoiesis and Hemolysis . Disturbances of the Body's Iron Balance . Iron Deficiency . Disturbances of Iron Distribution . Iron Overload . Non-iron-induced Disturbances of Erythropoiesis . Pathologically Increased Hemolysis Diagnosis of disturbances of Iron Metabolism/Disturbances of Erythropoiesis . Case History and Clinical Findings . Most Frequent Disturbances of Iron Metabolism and Erythropoiesis . Hypochromic, Microcytic Anemias Iron Deficiency - Diagnosis and Therapy Disturbances of Iron Distribution - Diagnosis and Therapy Disturbances of Iron Utilization - Diagnosis and Therapy Iron Overload Non-iron-induced Disturbances of Erythropoiesis Methods of Determination in Serum/Plasma and Blood References Subject Index