Changes in Iron Markers Following Iron Loading in Hemodialysis Patients

Phase IV Study of Iron Indices' Kinetics in Hemodialysis Patients

The purpose of this study is to describe alterations of serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor, % hypochromic erythrocytes, % reticulocytes, reticulocyte hemoglobin content after iron loading in hemodialysis patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• hemodialysis for three months minimum
• stable epoetin dose for two months minimum
• serum ferritin concentration < 1000 ng/ml
• transferrin saturation < 50%
• parathormone concentration < 800 pg/ml

Exclusion Criteria:

• hemoglobin concentration > 13g/dl
• serum ferritin concentration < 20 ng/ml
• vitamin B12 and/or folic deficiency
• other hematologic disease than anemia
• cancer
• hypothyroidism
• infectious disease