Most of the iron in the body is bound in haemoglobin molecules in the red blood cells. About 4% of iron is bound in myoglobin molecules and 30% of iron in the body is stored as ferritin or hemosiderin in the spleen, bone marrow and the liver. Transferrin produced in the liver binds one or two iron ions and is used to move these stores of iron to areas where it might be required. Iron determination is performed to diagnose conditions such as microcytic anaemia, macrocytic anaemia, folic acid deficiency and drug induced metabolic disorders.

Biorex Diagnostics manufactures Iron reagents designed for Hitachi 917, Olympus AU600/400/640/2700 and CA 180/280/400 Furuno/Daytona systems.