Hepcidin (HAMP)

Liver-produced hormone which constitutes the primary circulating regulator of iron absorption and distribution across tissues. Acts by promoting endocytosis and degradation of ferroportin, leading to the retention of iron in iron-exporting cells and reduced flow of iron to plasma.

Controls the major flows of iron to plasma: absorption of dietary iron in the intestine, recycling of iron from macrophages, which phagocytose older erythrocytes and other cells, and mobilization of stored iron from hepatocytes (PubMed:22306005). .