Transferrin iron, chelatable iron and ferritin in idiopathic haemochromatosis.

In I Z patients with idiopathic liaciiiocliroiiiatosis aiid varying dcgrces of iroii ovcrload the scru~ii fcrritin coiicctitratioii was rclatcd to the aiiiouiit of iron mobilizcd by vciicsectioit. Tlicrc was 110 corrclation Lctwceii iron loadaiidcliclatablc iron. In 35 patients with normal iron storcs following vciic~cctioii therapy, both transfcrrin iron and cliclatablc iron was pathologically increased. The initial stagcs of iron accumulation in idiopathic liac~iiocliromatosis arc cliaractcrizcd by an iinbalance bctwccii cliclatablc iron and fcrritiii, a plicnonicnon that could explain tlic pathogenesis of tlic discasc.