[Study of iron depot in patients on periodic hemodialysis by determination of serum ferritin].

The studies on 81 patients with periodic hemodialysis revealed that serum ferritin concentration is increased, with statistical significance, as compared with the healthy controls. The effect of various factors was established--the duration of the hemodialysis treatment, frequent hemotransfusions, high doses of parenterally administered iron-containing drugs and tissue predisposition to overloading the organism with iron. The practical value of the method is underlined as a non-invasive and reliable way for control of iron depots in patients on hemodialysis treatment.