Iron doesn't simply stay in the body for a set amount of time before it's removed. Instead, it's stored in different forms and used for various functions. The body also recycles iron from one form to another as needed.

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How Iron Moves Through the Body

Iron plays an important role in numerous physiological functions within the body. Its metabolism is a complex process involving absorption, transport, storage, and recycling:

Iron in red blood cells : Functional iron (in red blood cells) exists in hemoglobin within red blood cells. It makes up nearly 70% of the iron deposits in the body. Red blood cells live for about 120 days before breaking down in the spleen. Once they die, the iron is recycled in the body to produce new red blood cells.

Circulating iron

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