Comparative decay kinetics of basal LPI, serum ferritin, and red blood cell membrane (RBCM) levels in patients treated with L1. Data taken from Figures 2 and 3 were normalized to the value at the onset of the L1 treatment, plotted against the length of L1 treatment, and analyzed in terms of single exponential decay functions as shown in the legend for Figure 2. The complete profiles were divided into 2 phases at the 8-month point, at which time LPI reached a steady basal level (A). The profiles for the different phases are depicted separately in panels B and C. Time to reach steady basal levels: for LPI (★) 7 to 8 months, and for either SF (○) or RBCM iron (□) 10 to 12 months. The half time of decline (t_1/2) was 1 to 2 months for LPI, 3 to 5 months for RBCM iron, and 4 to 6 months for SF.