Red Cell Survival Studies in Haemoglobin H Disease using [⁵¹Cr] Chromate and [³²P]Di‐isopropyl Phosphofluoridate

S ummary . Red‐cell survival was studied in eight patients with haemoglobin H disease in the steady state, using simultaneously [ 51 Cr]chromate and [ 32 P]di‐iso‐propyl phosphofluoridate (DF 32 P). A shortened survival apparently due to a process of random destruction was observed in all patients, and the rate of 51 Cr elution calculated from the DF 32 P data was within the normal range. In‐vitro studies showed that most of the DF 32 P label was intraerythrocytic, bound to the erythrocyte B esterase and not to haemoglobin. In view of these findings, it is suggested that [ 51 Cr]chromate is a valid label for studying red‐cell survival in haemoglobin H disease.