Radioisotope binding capacity of serum in folic acid, vitamin B12 and ferritin in haematologic and rheumatologic patients.

In addition to the usual parameters for haematologic an rheumatologic diseases folic acid, vitamin B12, and ferritin were investigated by radioisotope studies. In some groups folic acid was lower compared to controls, and it is possible that the disease causes the deficiency of folic acid absorption and distribution. Vitamin B12 was only slightly decreased, thus, the values may be assumed to be close to normals. Transferrin ankylosing spondylitis is similar to that of controls, however, transferrin increases in rheumatoid arthritis and in mixed groups containing patients various diseases. Finally, the deficiency of folic acid absorption can be assumed to be caused by the symptoms of the disease, whereas in the case of inflammatory diseases and in mixed group transferrin increased.