FIGURE 1.

A schematic representation of iron‐regulatory axis––from intestinal lumen to circulation. Reduced iron is absorbed by duodenal enterocytes via divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) or heme carrier protein‐1 (HCP‐1), then transported to blood vessels via ferroportin (FPN), the major iron exporter. Hepcidin‐FPN interplay in liaison with a transmembrane ferroxidase, hephaestin controls intestinal iron absorption, plasma iron concentration and its circulatory release throughout the body. Ferric ion (Fe⁺³) complexed with transferrin (Tf) is further delivered to bone marrow which gets transported to peripheral tissues through receptor‐mediated delivery, for essential functions. Excessive iron is stored as ferritin reserves until required for erythropoiesis. Abbreviation: DcytB = Duodenal cytochrome B.