Hereditary Hemochromatosis

Normal Iron Absorption and Distribution

January 2009

Iron is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; typically 1‑2 mgs of iron are absorbed per day. Iron absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract enters the plasma pool. Since gastrointestinal nutrients are absorbed into the hepatic vein, the plasma pool contents cycle through the liver before entering the circulation. Bone marrow absorbs iron from the plasma pool to facilitate creation of erythrocytes. Approximately 20 mg of iron becomes integration into erythrocytes per day. Erythrocytes circulate for approximately 120 days; at the end of their lifetime,  they are phagocytized by macrocytic cells; when these cells enter the liver, they are known as Kupfer cells.

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Normal Iron Absorption

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Jump to section:

• Introduction
• Hereditary Hemochromatosis
• Normal Iron Absorption and Distribution
• Iron Overload Absorption and Distribution
• Iron Uptake, Preservation and Elimination
• Duodenum
• Iron Absorption and Transport by Intestinal Epithelium
• Iron Absorption and Transport by Intestinal Epithelium
• Hemochromatosis-Related Iron Accumulation
• Iron Absorption, Conservation and Transport by Hepatocyte
• Iron Absorption, Conservation and Transport in Hemochromatosis
• Effect of Hemochromatosis on Duodenal Crypt Cell
• Iron Absorption, Conservation and Transport in Hemochromatosis
• Clinical Presentation
• Clinical Presentation
• Hemochromatosis - Clinical Syndrome
• Laboratory Diagnosis: Serum Testing
• HFE Gene
• Hereditary Hemochromatosis
• Inheritance
• Genetic Testing
• Diagnostic Testing Algorithm
• Hemochromatosis - Gross Liver
• Hemochromatosis - Liver Microscopic
• Laboratory Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Summary
• Questions?