Figure 2.
Impact of ineffective erythropoiesis on intestinal iron absorption and reticuloendothelial iron recycling through its suppressive effect on hepcidin production.34 –36
According to this model, increased absorption of dietary iron plays a major role in the pathophysiology of the so called iron loading anemias (X-linked sideroblastic anemia, congenital dyserythropoietic anemias, thalassemia intermedia),31 while increased reticuloendothelial iron recycling is likely the major mechanism of parenchymal iron loading in anemic patients receiving regular blood transfusions (e.g., refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts).41,51
