Iron serves a critical role in many metabolic processes, including oxygen delivery (e.g., hemoglobin) and oxygen utilization for the generation of ATP (e.g., cytochromes). Disorders of iron metabolism are best recognized and evaluated in the context of iron's absorption, transportation, monitoring, cellular uptake, and recycling. This review highlights these processes so that disorders of iron deficiency and iron excess can be better understood. Key players in iron metabolism will be highlighted, such as hepcidin, ferroportin, erythroferrone, transferrin, ferritin, HFE, and the transferrin receptors.
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