The simulation shows how circulating hepcidin levels open or close ferroportin channels on gut enterocytes and macrophages in real time, visually linking hormone concentration to the flow of iron into the bloodstream and the resulting buildup of transferrin-bound and stored iron.
Adjust the hepcidin level, inflammatory signal, and body iron store sliders to see how ferroportin density, dietary absorption rate, and macrophage iron release respond, and observe how sustained high or low hepcidin states drive the system toward anemia of inflammation or iron overload.
Interactive sliders let you set hepcidin level, inflammatory signaling, and body iron stores to observe their combined effect on ferroportin activity and iron flow into the bloodstream.
Macrophages recycle roughly 20 to 25 milligrams of iron every day just from breaking down aged red blood cells, more than ten times the one to two milligrams typically absorbed from a day's meals, which is why hepcidin's control over macrophage iron release matters as much as its control over gut absorption.
The simulation shows how circulating hepcidin levels open or close ferroportin channels on gut enterocytes and macrophages in real time, visually linking hormone concentration to the flow of iron into the bloodstream and the resulting buildup of transferrin-bound and stored iron.
The simulation shows how circulating hepcidin levels open or close ferroportin channels on gut enterocytes and macrophages in real time, visually linking hormone concentration to the flow of iron into the bloodstream and the resulting buildup of transferrin-bound and stored iron.
Adjust the hepcidin level, inflammatory signal, and body iron store sliders to see how ferroportin density, dietary absorption rate, and macrophage iron release respond, and observe how sustained high or low hepcidin states drive the system toward anemia of inflammation or iron overload.
Macrophages recycle roughly 20 to 25 milligrams of iron every day just from breaking down aged red blood cells, more than ten times the one to two milligrams typically absorbed from a day's meals, which is why hepcidin's control over macrophage iron release matters as much as its control over gut absorption.