Systemic Iron Stores (N/A)

Systemic iron stores represent the total amount of iron present within the body, primarily in storage forms like ferritin and hemosiderin. This iron is distributed across various tissues, including erythrocytes (hemoglobin), liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Regulation of systemic iron stores involves a complex interplay of absorption, recycling, transport, and storage mechanisms, with the hepcidin/ferroportin axis playing a central regulatory role. Imbalances in systemic iron stores can lead to significant health disorders, such as iron deficiency anemia or iron overload (hemochromatosis).

Other names

Body iron storesTotal body ironIron homeostasisIron balance

N/A - Systemic physiological process; drug actions target individual components (e.g., iron absorption, storage, mobilization)