Beneficial hematologic effects of daily oral ascorbic acid therapy in ESRD patients with anemia and abnormal iron homeostasis: a preliminary study.

Aim: To determine the efficacy and effects of the oral administration of ascorbic acid on anemia management in ESRD patients with hyperferritinemia.

Methods: Twenty-one anemic hemodialysis patients with ferritin levels greater than 350 ng/mL had received oral daily ascorbic acid at a dose of 500 mg/day and were retrospectively studied. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, EPO dose, ferritin, and transferrin saturation were recorded at baseline and after three months of treatment.