Absorption

Iron is absorbed in duodenum and proximal jejunum. A normal individual with out iron deficiency absorbs 5-10 % of daily intakes.

Absorption is increased in states with increased requirements or deficiencies (low iron stores, pregnancy, menstruation, growing children, and blood loss) and/or dietary factors such as heme-iron (from meat, etc), HCl and vitamin C.

Absorption is decreased from non heme iron (Fe³⁺), in the presence of phytates, antacids and other chelates, and following gastric resection.

Iron crosses the stinal mucosal cell by active transport; then according to mucosal iron store, it can either be available to transferrin to be transported to plasma or be stored in the mucosal cell as ferritin.

Storage: Iron is stored primarily as ferritin in intestinal mucosal cells and in macrophages in the liver, spleen and bone.