A randomized trial of iron deficiency testing strategies in hemodialysis patients.

It is well known that Ferritin and Transf.sat are parameters that are influenced by various factors such as inflammation, iron overload, varying serum iron levels, etc. Therefore, better parameters are needed and hypochromic red cells are one of the most promising concerning correct titration of parenteral iron. Reticulocyte Hb content (CHr) decreases singnificantly if functional or manifest iron deficiency are present. This parameter is also used for the detection of functional iron deficiency during EPO therapy or EPO doping detection.

This study is therefore most interesting. However, it would be of interest to know whether CHr is more adequate than hypochromic red cells alone, a parameter which is more reproducible concerning systematic errors with the ADVIA system.

– C. Breymann.