Where is most of the body's iron stored?

Prepare for the ACVIM General Board Exam with comprehensive flashcards and in-depth multiple choice questions. Gain insights with detailed explanations and enhance your readiness for success!

The body's primary storage site for iron is in the liver, specifically in the form of ferritin. While hemoglobin does contain iron, it functions primarily as the protein responsible for oxygen transport in red blood cells rather than as a storage form. The majority of the iron in the body is stored in the liver, with smaller amounts also found in the spleen and bone marrow. Ferritin in the liver can release stored iron when the body requires it for processes such as red blood cell production or other metabolic functions. Thus, although hemoglobin is a significant component of iron in the blood, it does not serve as a storage site; instead, it plays an active role in transporting oxygen.

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