Assessment of Iron Status — Historical Perspectives

• Assessment of Iron Status — Historical Perspectives

AUTHOR(S)

Ivor CAVILL

Department of Haematology, School of Medicine, University of Cardiff

SUMMARY

The importance of iron in the human metabolism has been recognised for millennia. It was not really until the mid 20^th century that an objective approach to assessing the state of iron metabolism in patients and their need for iron therapy was first established. The history of iron research is a long, rich story with early beginnings, and is far from being finished.

KEY WORDS

Ferritin, Iron Storage, Iron Deficiency, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Reticulocyte Haemoglobin Content, Functional Iron Deficiency