The Relationship between Serum Iron Levels and Ascorbic Acid Stores in Siderotic Bantu

S ummary The concentrations of serum iron and of leucocyte ascorbic acid were measured in 35 adult Bantu subjects and were compared with the marrow gradings of storage iron. Ascorbic acid depletion was almost uniformly present in the 18 subjects with increased iron stores, but was uncommon in those with normal stores. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between the serum iron levels and the marrow iron gradings. After therapy for 7 days with ascorbic acid the mean serum iron level rose significantly in the siderotic group but was unchanged in the group with normal stores. At this time there was a highly significant correlation between the levels of serum iron and the marrow iron gradings. It is concluded that the serum iron can be used as an index of iron overload in the Bantu only after repletion with ascorbic acid.