3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions

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The role of ferritin in iron absorption
(1967-01) Torrance, J. D.
Although reports of the medicinal use of iron date back to ancient times it was not until the present century that the many functions of iron in the body were studied. Once started, the investigation received impetus from the seriousness of iron deficiency anaemia, a major cause of ill health throughout the world. The introduction of radio-isotope tracer techniques in 1939 greatly facilitated investigation of absorption, excretion and the metabolic pathways of iron. The tremendous amount of work already carried out has led to a fairly comprehensive knowledge of the various aspects of iron metabolism. Nevertheless, there remain wide gaps in the overall picture. In
Radioiron absorption studies in idiopathic haemochromatosis, malnutritional cytosiderosis, and transfusional haemosiderosis
(1953-05) Bothwell, T. H.
The quantity of iron in the body is regulated largely by the amount absorbed from the gut as the body's capacity to excrete it seems to be very limited. However three conditions have been described in which enormous amounts of iron may accumulate. Such a finding is characteristic of idiopathic haemochromatosis, it is present in a proportion of malnourished South African and is seen also in cases of refractory anaemia treated over long periods with blood transfusions.