In order to fully understand the pathophysiology one must look at how iron is metabolized in the human body.
Iron is needed by every cell in the human body. However, it is also toxic in excess amounts, so it is very important to regulate the amount of iron the body absorbs. The recommend intake of iron per day is 1-2 mgs , any more than this can have a negative impact on the body. This daily recommended about of iron is absorbed every day in the duodenal lumen in the mucosal cells or enterocyte in the ferrous state. The iron that is contained as ferritin and sloughed or carried across the basolateral surface by the ferroportin. Once in the bloodstream, iron combines or is transported to the bone marrow or becomes stored as transferrin. When iron is in a state of excess, the amount of hepcidin increases blocks ferroprotin, and in the process decreases irons ability to become plasma. This process is shown in the diagram below.
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