Iron Deficiency

Question 1

Where is hepcidin produced and what stimulates its production? What is the end result?

Answer 1

It is produced in hepatocytes. It is secreted in response to inflammation and increased iron stores. It causes decreased iron absorption in the gut. It degrades ferroportin.

Question 2

What is the result of the TMPRSS6 (Matriptase-2) mutation?

Answer 2

Inactivating mutations lead to abnormally increased hepcidin and reduced iron absorption. It is autosomal recessive. There is no response to oral iron and a partial response to IV iron