Ascorbic acid status in iron-deficiency anaemia.

Leucocyte ascorbic acid concentration declines with age. Patients with iron-deficiency anaemia have higher concentrations than normal while those with iron overload have a reduced concentration. It is suggested that these phenomena may be a result of reduced ascorbate catabolism in iron-deficiency anaemia and they provide support for the suggestion that the amount of iron in the tissues may be an important factor in determining ascorbic acid utilization.