The human body stores iron primarily in two forms: ferritin and hemosiderin. These iron stores are found in various tissues and organs.
Iron Storage Forms
- Ferritin: This is the main storage protein for iron. It's a readily available form, allowing the body to quickly access iron when needed.
- Hemosiderin: This is a partially degraded form of ferritin. Iron stored as hemosiderin is less accessible than ferritin. Hemosiderin appears as yellow-brownish granules and can be stained by Prussian blue in tissue cells.
Iron Storage Locations
Iron is stored throughout the body, with major storage sites including:
- Liver
- Spleen
- Bone Marrow
- Duodenum
- Skeletal Muscle
- Other anatomic areas
Iron Storage Summary
| Storage Form | Description | Accessibility | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferritin | Main storage protein; readily available iron. | High | Liver, spleen, bone marrow, duodenum, skeletal muscle |
| Hemosiderin | Partially degraded ferritin; less accessible iron. | Low | Liver, spleen, bone marrow, duodenum, skeletal muscle, others |
In essence, the body carefully regulates iron storage to ensure it has enough for essential functions while preventing iron from causing harm.
