Erythropoiesis, Iron Stores and Tissue Iron Exchange in Man

1. The exchange of iron between plasma and erythroid and non-erythroid tissues was measured in 14 normal subjects, 17 iron-deficient patients, nine patients with primary idiopathic haemochromatosis and in 13 patients with haemolytic disorders.

2. The two main factors determining tissue iron turnover were shown to be the level of iron stores and the erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow.