Iron Metabolism – Viva Questions and Answers

Iron Metabolism + Hemoglobin Viva
Questions with Answers
 Q: What is the normal serum iron level?

A: 60–170 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter).

 Q: What is the total iron content in the human body?

A: About 3.5–4 grams in males, 2.3–2.5 grams in females.

 Q: What are dietary sources of iron?

A: Heme: red meat, liver; Non-heme: green leafy vegetables, legumes.

 Q: Where is iron absorbed?

A: In the duodenum and proximal jejunum.

 Q: What are the forms of iron in food?

A: Heme iron (from animal sources) and non-heme iron (from plant sources).

 Q: What is the difference between heme and non-heme iron?

A: Heme iron is better absorbed and comes from animal sources. Non-heme is less
efficiently absorbed.

 Q: What factors increase iron absorption?

A: Vitamin C, acidic pH, presence of heme iron.

 Q: What inhibits iron absorption?

A: Phytates, tannins (tea), calcium, oxalates.

 Q: What is the role of transferrin?

A: It transports iron in the plasma.

 Q: What is TIBC?

A: Total Iron Binding Capacity – measures iron transport capacity. High in iron deficiency.

 Q: What is ferritin?

A: A protein that stores iron intracellularly.