Gastric Acidity and Iron Absorption

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Achlorhydria has been recognized as an associated feature of iron deficiency anaemia for many years (Faber, 1909; Witts, 1930). There has, however, been little agreement as to the part played by gastric acid in the absorption of iron from the intestinal tract. Early workers produced evidence that iron absorption was greater in the presence of normal gastric acidity than in cases of achlorhydria (Minot and Heath, 1932; Heilmeyer and Plotner, 1936; Barer and Fowler, 1937). Others found that this was not the case (Moore, Arrowsmith, Welch and Minnich, 1939; Grace, Doig and Wolff, 1954; Pirzio‐Biroli, Bothwell and Finch, 1958). More recently Goldberg, Lochhead and Dagg (1963) and Cook, Brown and Valberg (1964) have shown that in some circumstances iron is better absorbed by subjects with normal gastric acid than in those with a histamine fast achlorhydria.In the present investigation quantitative studies of both iron absorption and of gastric acid production have been made in patients with iron deficiency anaemia and additional observations have been made in normal subjects. The relationship between iron absorption and gastric secretory capacity is examined.

This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit: