Availability of Iron Stores Built Up by Iron Dextrin

Iron stores built up by iron dextrin have been studied in a group of iron‐depleted, non‐anemic blood donor volunteers. The chelatability by desferrioxamine (DF) of these iron stores was repeatedly examined during 21 months at different loads of administered iron. The availability for DF chelation was lower as compared to natural iron stores of a comparable size. The availability for Hb formation was studied with vigorous phlebotomy and was found to be reduced. An iron‐deficient state developed when approximately 65% of the administered iron was mobilized. Non‐available iron deposits could be demonstrated in bone marrow smears in all subjects at the end of performed phlebotomies.