IRON METABOLISM

1. Sources
Plant Sources
Leafy vegetables
Jaggery
Cereals
Legumes/ Pulses

Animal Sources
Liver
Egg yolk
Meat
Milk

RDA???

e
c
n
a
w
o
ll
A
y
r
a
t
e
i
D
d
e
d
n
e
m
m
o
c
e
R
2.
Normal

10mg/day
Lactation

Pregnancy

15mg/day

-Menstruation (loss
of Hb)

1520mg/day
3040mg/day

3.
Functions
To synthesize iron containing
proteins
Heme proteins
Hemoglobin
Myoglobin
Cytochromes (b,
c1, c, a, a3)
Catalase &
peroxidase

Non- heme proteins

Iron-sulfur
complexes
Aconitase
Transferrin
Ferritin &
hemosiderin
Hemosiderin : Excess iron
form

4. Absorption

Favours :

In duodenum
In reduced form
Only 10% (1mg/day) absorb

Ascorbic acid ( Vitamin C)

Low pH (HCl)
Reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+
Glutathione
Ferric reductase
Ferrous/ reduced form of iron/ Fe2+
Fructose
Cysteine (amino acid)
Heme iron (meat)

Hinder/ Interfere :
High pH (pancreatic secretion)
Non heme iron :

Phytate (in cereal)

Oxalate (in leafy vegetables)

Ferric/ oxidised form of iron/Fe3+

Other minerals :
Calcium
Copper
Phosphate
Lead

5. Transport and Storage

Diagram

Absorb form : Ferrous form/ Reduced

form/ Fe2+
Transport form : Ferric form/ Oxidised
form/ Fe3+
Carrier protein :

6. Iron Deficiency

Causes :

Nutritional deficiency ( increased utilization)

Pregnancy
Lactation
Elderly

Hook worm infestation

Nephrotic syndrome
Liver disease
Chronic blood loss
Peptic ulcer
Gastric ulcer

Decreased absorption
Gastrectomy
Achlorhydria/ Hypochlorhydria

Effects:
Decreased Fe absorption
Decreased Hb production
Decreased serum Fe and Hb
Hypochromic microcytic anemia

7. Iron Excess (excess

hemosiderin)

A) Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Genetic disorder : Abnormal gene
Excessive absorption of Fe in
duodenum
Iron accumulate in liver, pancreas, skin

Cirrhosis of liver

Bronze discolouration

Pancreatic cell death

Diabetes mellitus

Bronze
diabetes

B) Hemosiderosis
Causes:
High dietary
intake
African Bantu tribes diet
- corn, sweet potatoes

Repeated blood
transfusion

Excess Fe in
tissue

8. Investigations of Fe Status
Iron Deficiency
Plasma Iron

Plasma Ferritin

Plasma Transferrin

TIBC

Iron Excess

Questions
1. Iron containing enzymes include
myoglobin.

2. Iron containing enzymes include catalase.

3. Iron absorption is inhibited by oxalates.

4. Iron is absorbed in the duodenum in

ferric form.
5. Ferrous form is absorbed in the jejunum.

F
F

6. Iron overload leads to increased plasma transferrin level.

7. Iron is a component of cytochromes.

8. RDA of iron is 10g per day in males.

9. Iron is transported in blood by ferritin.

10. Milk is a good source of iron.

11. Deficiency of iron leads to megaloblastic anemia.

12. Plasma ferritin is decreased in iron deficiency.

13. Bronze diabetes is seen when excess hemosiderin.

14. Heme iron is better absorbed than

T
non heme iron.
15. Ferritin is a metalloprotein.

16. B globulin is the carrier protein for iron

in ferric state.

Thank you
;)