The Significance of Iron Turnover in the Control of Iron Absorption

Following acute blood loss, there is a 4- to 5-day lag before any demonstrable change in plasma iron kinetics. Then there is a shortened Fe⁵⁹ T½ and transient fall in the plasma iron. Associated with this is a decrease in the intestinal content of iron and an increased absorption of iron. We suggest the iron content of the epithelial cell is important in the regulation of its ability to absorb iron. The intestinal iron content is in turn closely controlled by the plasma iron turnover.