Change in plasma clearance rate and red cell uptake of radioactive iron in patients following total body X-radiation

Abstract

Data are presented on changes in plasma clearance half-time and red cell uptake of iron-59 in 12 patients irradiated with X-rays at a nominal air dose of 200 r, corresponding to an average dose of 130 rads. These data show a maximum change occuring at 3–4 days after irradiation which lengthens the plasma clearance half-time to double or treble its previous value. A slight but definite depression, of the order of 10 per cent, on the average, is demonstrated in the red cell uptake.