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Abstract Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were found to have a rapid plasma clearance of iron, a low serum iron, and a diminished absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract. These abnormalities appear to be manifestations of an abnormal iron metabolism which is probably present in all patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Anemia represents the end result of the more severe degrees of the abnormality. Chronic blood loss, hemolysis, increased blood volume, and bone marrow depression represent secondary complications superimposed on the underlying abnormality.
Raymond et al. (1965) studied this question.