Iron metabolism pathway

Iron metabolism involves the body's process of absorbing, transporting, utilizing, and storing iron. Iron from food is absorbed mainly in the small intestine, enters the bloodstream, and binds to transferrin, a transport protein. Transferrin delivers iron to cells, especially in the bone marrow for red blood cell production. Excess iron is stored in the liver as ferritin. The body carefully regulates iron levels because it’s essential for oxygen transport but can be harmful in excess. The hormone hepcidin controls iron absorption and release by signaling the cells to retain or release iron, maintaining balance.