iron storage

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iron storage Ferritin is the iron storage protein in the intestinal mucosa, liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It is a ferric hydroxide‐phosphate‐protein complex containing 23% iron. Haemosiderin is a long‐term storage form of iron in tissues; colloidal iron hydroxide combined with protein and phosphate, probably formed by agglomeration of ferritin, the short‐term storage form. Abnormally high levels of haemosiderin occur in siderosis. See also haemochromatosis.

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