The latter two mechanisms are controlled by the hormone hepcidin, which maintains total-body iron within normal ranges, avoiding both iron deficiency and excess. However, since excess levels of iron can be toxic, its absorption is limited to 1 to 2 mg daily, and most of the iron needed daily (about 25 mg per day) is provided through recycling by macrophages that phagocytose senescent erythrocytes. 2 The human body has evolved to conserve iron in several ways, including the recycling of iron after the breakdown of red cells and the retention of iron in the absence of an excretion mechanism. Iron is crucial to biologic functions, including respiration, energy production, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation. 1 The diagnosis and treatment of this condition could clearly be improved. Although the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia has recently declined somewhat, iron deficiency continues to be the top-ranking cause of anemia worldwide, and iron-deficiency anemia has a substantial effect on the lives of young children and premenopausal women in both low-income and developed countries. Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia are global health problems and common medical conditions seen in everyday clinical practice.

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