ferrokinetics

The study of iron metabolism using radioactive iron. [L. ferrum, iron, + G. kinesis, movement]

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fer·ro·ki·net·ics (fer″o-kĭ-netґiks) [ferro- + kinetics] the movement of iron in the body from plasma transferrin to red cell precursors in bone marrow to circulating red cells to macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system and back to plasma transferrin. Ferrokinetic studies, using the radioisotope iron-59 as a tracer, measure kinetic parameters helpful in evaluating certain anemias and in detecting abnormal iron storage or extramedullary hematopoiesis by external counting over the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Studies include plasma iron clearance half-time, plasma iron turnover, red cell utilization, and erythrocyte iron turnover. ferrokinetic adj