Radio-Iron (⁵⁹Fe) Studies in Acute Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Intravenous and oral ⁵⁹Fe studies are reported in active ulcerative colitis. In five patients almost complete red-cell uptake occurred after intravenous ⁵⁹Fe, but in another eight cases uptake was reduced, compared with iron deficient controls, when ⁵⁹Fe was given orally. It is suggested that iron absorption is impaired in active ulcerative colitis, possibly due to small intestine changes.

Key-words:

• Intestine, ulcerative colitis
• iron metabolism
• absorption