Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination of the absorption of iron in normal women

Abstract

The determination of iron isotope ratios in blood, without prior sample preparation, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with sample introduction by electrothermal vaporisation (ETV) is described. Following oral administration of 5 mg of enriched ⁵⁴FeSO₄ and intravenous administration of 200 µg of ⁵⁷FeSO₄ to non-pregnant women, the ⁵⁴Fe : ⁵⁶Fe and ⁵⁷Fe : ⁵⁶Fe isotope ratios in serum were measured reliably within 20 min per sample in quintuplicate. Changes in the fractional absorption of iron during human pregnancy could therefore be assessed.