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.