What Role Does Hemosiderin Play in Iron Metabolism?
Hemosiderin plays a crucial role in the body's iron storage mechanism. When red blood cells are broken down, iron is released and initially stored as ferritin. However, if the ferritin storage capacity is exceeded, the excess iron is converted into hemosiderin. Unlike ferritin, which is soluble and readily mobilized, hemosiderin is less soluble and serves as a more long-term storage form of iron.
