Oral or parenteral iron therapy in haemodialysis patients?

In 28 haemodialysis patients, in whom there was a high incidence of depleted marrow iron stores, a significant rise in Hb, and Hct, occasionally to a normal level, was achieved as effectively with oral as with i.v. iron supplements. There was a variable response to iron in individuals which could not be predicted from the initial iron status. No patient in whom marrow iron stores were reassessed after iron therapy developed increased marrow iron stores. Routine iron supplements are recommended in haemodialysis patients with regular monitoring of body iron stores.