Diagnostic evaluation of the various forms of iron overload requires information about the
total amount and distribution of iron stores. Direct information on the quantity of storage iron
can be obtained only by its mobilization in response to repeated phlebotomy or after dilution
of a labelled iron test dose in the total body iron pool. Both approaches are cumbersome
and time-consuming and are suitable only for research purposes. Detailed information on
the amount and distribution of tissue iron in iron overload can be obtained from biopsy …