Reutilization of iron in the body and regulation of iron reserves. The value of plasma transferrin receptor levels

A model for reticulo-endothelial iron metabolism is proposed which characterises diseases of the reutilisation of iron in man. In idiopathic hemochromatosis the RE cell is defective in withholding iron freed from senescent red cells and unable to control the plasma iron level. Transferrin receptor can be measured in plasma, where its concentration is proportionnal to the number of cellular receptors. Plasma levels of transferrin receptor serve as a convenient monitor of total erythropoiesis.