Iron uptake and ferritin synthesis by peripheral blood leucocytes from normal subjects and patients with iron deficiency and the anaemia of chronic disease.

The ferritin content of monocytes, lymphocytes and polymorphs is reduced in patients with iron deficiency anaemia. In patients with the anaemia of chronic disease a reduced serum iron concentration is associated with an increase in the ferritin content of all peripheral blood leucocytes. Iron uptake by all cell types is related to transferrin saturation. In iron deficiency anaemia lymphocyte iron uptake is greatly increased, possibly relfecting intracellular iron depletion. In patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and carcinomatosis there is no alteration in leucocyte iron uptake or ferritin synthesis.