Key Takeaways

Iron is stored in red blood cells that live for about 120 days before being recycled in the body.

Circulating iron in the blood is quickly available but remains in the system for only a few hours.

Stored iron in the body as ferritin and hemosiderin stays longer and supplies iron during high-demand times.

Iron doesn't simply stay in the body for a set amount of time before it's removed. Instead, it's stored in different forms and used for various functions. The body also recycles iron from one form to another as needed.

How Iron Moves Through the Body

Iron plays an important role in numerous physiological functions within the body. Its metabolism is a complex process involving absorption, transport, storage, and recycling:

Iron in red blood cells : Functional iron (in

See Full Page