Excessive zinc ingestion. A reversible cause of sideroblastic anemia and bone marrow depression
E. R. Broun, A. Greist, G. Tricot and R. Hoffman
Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202.
Two patients with sideroblastic anemia secondary to zinc-induced copper
deficiency absorbed excess zinc secondary to oral ingestion. The source of
excess zinc was a zinc supplement in one case; in the other, ingested
coins. In each case, the sideroblastic anemia was corrected promptly after
removal of the source of excess zinc. These two cases emphasize the
importance of recognizing this clinical entity, since the myelodysplastic
features are completely reversible.