Serum ferritin level. Determinant of iron requirement in hemodialysis patients
K. S. Mirahmadi, W. L. Paul, R. L. Winer, N. Dabir-Vaziri, B. Byer, J. T. Gorman and S. M. Rosen
Seventeen patients without renal failure and 14 patients receiving
long-term hemodialysis were studied. Serum and bone marrow ferritin
determinations were made at the time of bone marrow aspiration. A good
correlation was found between serum ferritin levels and bone marrow iron
stores, as well as between bone marrow ferritin levels and iron stores.
Serum ferritin determinations appear to give an accurate estimation of bone
marrow iron stores, thereby providing a reliable guide for iron replacement
therapy and reducing the need for repeated bone marrow aspirations. Serum
ferritin levels of less than 105 ng/ml suggest decreased iron stores, and
values greater than 120 ng/ml indicate adequate or increased iron stores.
Preliminary data also suggest that bone marrow ferritin determinations may
be useful in quantitating bone marrow iron stores.
