Elemental iron (Fe)

Elemental iron is a fundamental trace element essential for human physiology, primarily serving as a central component of hemoglobin and myoglobin to facilitate oxygen transport and storage (StatPearls, 2023). It also acts as a critical cofactor for numerous enzymes, including cytochromes involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain and enzymes required for DNA synthesis and cellular proliferation (NIH, 2023). Because the human body lacks a regulated pathway for iron excretion, homeostasis is maintained through the tightly controlled absorption of dietary iron in the duodenum, and imbalances can lead to significant clinical pathologies (PubChem, 2024). In clinical practice, elemental iron is administered via oral or intravenous supplements to restore depleted stores and support erythropoiesis in patients with iron deficiency anemia (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Conversely, in conditions of chronic iron overload such as hereditary hemochromatosis or transfusion-dependent thalassemia, elemental iron becomes the target of chelation therapy. In this context, drugs like deferoxamine or deferasirox bind to the metal to prevent the formation of reactive oxygen species and facilitate its removal from the body, protecting vital organs from oxidative damage (FDA, 2022).

Other names

IronFerrumFeElemental FeIron ion

As a therapeutic agent, elemental iron provides the necessary substrate for the synthesis of heme, which is incorporated into hemoglobin for red blood cell production (StatPearls, 2023). When viewed as a target for chelation, iron is sequestered by chelating agents to form stable, non-toxic complexes that are excreted in the urine or feces, thereby reducing the pool of non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) that causes oxidative stress and organ damage (DrugBank, 2024).