OUTLINE

SOURCE
DAILY/PHYSIOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS DISTRIBUTION

ABSORPTION
REGULATION FUNCTION

DEFICIENCY

IRON METABOLISM - Introduction

Adequate IRON is essential for the normal production of Hb, and is a necessary component in muscle myoglobin and various important intracellular enzymes, e.g., cytochromes, catalase and perioxidase. If iron is deficient, minute RBCs with a low Hb concentration are formed, leading

to what is termed iron-deficiency anaemia.

OBJECTIVES
IDENTIFY COMMON SOURCE
DESCRIBE MECHANISM OF ABSORPTION DISTRIBUTION; STORAGE FUNCTION CAUSE AND EFFECT OF DIFICENCY

SOURCE OF IRON
DIETARY: (a) ANIMAL products - Liver, Muscle, Kidneys,

Eggs, Blood (b) PLANTS Green leafy vegetables, wheat, Corn and Beans NB: on the whole iron is better absorbed from animal than from plant products; there are of course exceptions to this rule

DISTRIBUTION OF IRON
M(g) F(g) %Total Haemoglobin 2.4 1.7 66 FTin & Hdsid 1.0(.3-1.5) 0.3(0-1.0) 30 Myoglobin 0.15 0.12 3.5 Haem enzymes* 0.02 0.015 0.5 Tfer-bound iron 0.004 0.003 0.1

*Catalases, cytochromes, perioxidases, flavoproteins

DISTRIBUTION OF IRON
IRON CONTENT OF BODY (70 Kg MAN):
HAEMOGLOBIN60-70% FUNCTIONAL IRON, e.g. myoglobin,

catalase..10-12% STORED IRON, e.g., ferritin, haemosiderin.16-29%

FACTORS FAVOURING ABSORPTION

Ferrous form; inorganic iron
Acids HCL, Vitamin C Soludizing agents (sugars & amino acids) Iron deficiency, Increased erythropoiesis Pregnancy Primary haemochromatosis

FACTORS INHIBITING ABSORPTION

Ferric form, Organic iron Alkalis antacids, pancraetic secretions

Precipitating agents phytates, phosphates

Iron excess Decreased erythropoiesis

Infection
Tea

FUNCTION OF IRON
FORM THE HAEM MOIETY OF HAEMOGLOBIN IRON-CONTAINING ENZYMES CYTOCHROME SYSTEMS

MAJOR CAUSES OF IRON DEFICIENCY

Chronic Blood Loss: Uterine, GIT, e.g., peptic ulcer, carcinoma, hookworm, hemorrhoids, aspirin or other NSAIDS; Haematuria (rarely), Increased Demand: Prematurity, Growth, pregnancy Malabsorption: Gastrectomy, Coeliac diseases Poor diet