Iron is a mineral needed for the production of red blood cells and the protein hemoglobin, which helps transport oxygen throughout the body. It is also necessary for physical growth and cell ...

Iron is stored in red blood cells that live for about 120 days before being recycled in the body. Circulating iron in the blood is quickly available but remains in the system for only a few hours.

Ferritin is a protein that stores and releases iron (a mineral) in the body. A ferritin test measures how much of this protein is in your blood, helping diagnose health conditions caused by too much ...