An estimation of the dose relationship of intestinal iron absorption in man is only reasonable if a reliable method for the measurement of iron absorption is used, and the amount of available storage iron, which influences iron absorption considerably, is considered. Intestinal 59Fe2⊕-absorption was therefore quantitated by measuring the whole body retention of absorbed 59Fe within a 4 π-large volume radioactivity detector with liquid organic scintillator. The diagnostic 10 μΜοl (⧋ 0.558 mg)

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... e2⊕-absorption test was used for discriminating between persons with normal 59Fe-absorption due to normal iron stores and persons with very much increased 59Fe-absorption caused by depleted iron stores. Within a dose range from 0.56 to 50 mg 59Fe2® the bilogarithmic plotting of the estimated 59Fe2⊕-absorption (in mg) against the iron dose resulted in a straight line, which can be described in males and females with normal iron stores by the equations Rmg = 0.206 · D0.676 and Rmg = 0.250-D0.668 respectively. In males and females with depleted iron stores the dose relationship can be characterized by the absorption equations Rmg=0.594·D0.684 and Rmg=0.731·D0.650 respectively. The whole body 59Fe turnover rate in man (= iron requirement) and the dose relationship of intestinal 59Fe-absorption are a suitable experimental basis for the oral iron prophylaxis and therapy.