IRON THERAPY FOR CHRONIC RENAL DISEASE: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Abstract:
In patients with end renal stage disease and those undergoing dialysis, it is very important to
diagnose both absolute and functional iron deficiency in renal anemia because iron deficiency is the
most common cause of hyporesponsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Iron therapy
increases the erythropoietic response that is the accepted reference standard of iron deficient
erythropoiesis. Iron therapy includes the availability of both oral and parenteral (intravenous)
substances. Intravenous iron therapy is more efficient than the oral one. Iron represents a component of
oxygen-carrying molecules, a cofactor for enzymatic reactions and redox processes. Regarding its redox
potential, unfortunately, this limits the quantity of iron that can be safely administered and stored by the
organism. But when the doses are administered within the recommended international guidelines,
intravenous iron therapy is safe. Intravenous iron therapy should, however, be withheld during acute
infection but not during inflammation.
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