Iron and Other Metals in Hematopoiesis

Recent work concerning the metabolism of iron and the importance of other metals, namely copper, cobalt, zinc and molybdenum, in hematopoeisis is reviewed. It is pointed out that although in animals cobalt, copper, zinc and molybdenum have been shown to play essential roles in hematopoiesis, little is known about the roles of these metals in human nutrition or in hematopoiesis in the human. Claims that these substances enhance the therapeutic action of iron in patients with iron deficiency anemia are not substantiated. The paucity of information concerning the toxicity of these substances is also emphasized. It is concluded that more convincing evidence must be available, concerning the possible benefit to be obtained from the addition of these metals to iron preparations, before the practice of adding them to therapeutic iron preparations can be considered warranted.