Simultaneous Studies with Fe59 and Cr51 in Congenital Haemolytic Anaemias

Abstract

SummaryDouble tracer methods using Fe59 and Cr51 for simultaneous clinical investigations of erythropoiesis and red cell destruction are described.In these methods, the clearance of intravenously injected Fe59 from the plasma and its incorporation into the red cells is followed by the assay of blood samples, whilst the turnover of Fe59 by the tissues is followed by body surface counting. At the same time, the survival of Cr51-labelled red cells in the circulating is followed by the assay of blood samples whilst sites of destruction of labelled cells are identified by body surface counting. Pulse height analysis techniques are used for simultaneous measurements of Fe59 and Cr51 both in vitro and in vivo.The use of these techniques is illustrated by results obtained in studies on normal subjects and on patients with various congenital haemolytic anaemias.