Erythrocyte delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase activity and changes in delta-aminolaevulinic acid concentration in various forms of anaemia.

Whole blood delta-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) concentrations and erythrocyte ALA dehydratase activity have been measured in patients with iron deficiency anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia and secondary anaemia, and in normal subjects. ALA concentration was found to be significantly increased in all types of anaemia compared with normal. Erythrocyte ALA dehydratase activity was significantly increased in iron deficiency and megaloblastic anaemia but not in secondary anaemia.