Aluminium Fluoride Inter-Relationships in Renal Failure

While using neutron activation analysis for estimating fluoride in uraemic bone we discovered appreciable quantities of aluminium in bone, particularly from patients living in the Newcastle area.(l) This finding was confirmed and linked to an indolent type of fracturing osteomalacia(2) in this area. Other complications include dialysis encephalopathy,(3) uraemic neuropathy,(4) microcytic anaemia,(5) and suppression of parathyroid hormone secretion.(6) Many of these symptoms can be reversed by the use of aluminium free dialysate water(7) and by the administration of desferrioxamine.(8)