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Abstract |
Hemoglobinization and Functional Availability of Iron for Erythropoiesis in Case of Thalassemia and Iron Deficiency Anemia |
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Microcytic erythropoiesis in case of anemia is frequently due to iron deficiency or may be due to α- and β- thalassemia trait as a result of increased activity of erythropoiesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate alterations with regard to the degree of hemoglobinization in reticulocytes in comparison with mature erythrocytes. Iron availability in subjects with anemia resulting from iron deficiency and α- or β- thalassemia was studied by application of conventional as well hemocytometric parameters that have recently become available. Participants of the study were reference subjects (n=75), subjects with iron deficiency anemia (IDA, n=52) and α- (n=26) or β- thalassemia trait (n=24). If compared with the reference group obviously increased RBC counts together with decreased values for RDW-sd and MCHC were established in case of α- and β-thalassemia subjects. Deviations were demonstrated to be more pronounced in case of β-thalassemia. Accelerated erythropoiesis in the case of subjects with IDA and β-thalassemia is manifested by detection of increased results for immature reticulocyte counts. In particular in case of β-thalassemia, elevated reticulocyte counts combined with slightly increased values for ZPP/heme ratio reflect increased activity of erythropoiesis. In the case of subjects with β-thalassemia serum transferrin concentrations revealed slightly decreased results, whereas serum ferritin and iron concentrations demonstrated a tendency towards higher values if compared with the group of reference subjects. At a definitive MCV level, the hemoglobin content of reticulocytes is decreased in the case of IDA if compared with the α- or β-thalassemia trait. For the ratio of hemoglobin content of reticulocytes and erythrocytes, obviously decreased results are demonstrated in the case of subjects with iron deficiency anemia (1.02 ± 0.08, mean ± SD) and in the case of β-thalassemia (1.06 ± 0.04) if compared with the group of reference subjects (1.11 ± 0.02) and α-thalassemia (1.11 ± 0.07). Evaluation of the hemoglobinization state should be performed by means of pattern recognition in concordance with characteristic profiles for parameters reflecting the actual iron state. In case of therapy the result of intervention can be appropriately monitored by longitudinal follow-up. |
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