Hepcidin

A protein that is produced by the liver and acts as a major regulator of iron homeostasis. Hepcidin inhibits iron absorption from the small intestine and inhibits the release of iron from macrophages by binding the iron channel Ferroportin. Hence, when iron stores are low (such as Iron deficiency anemia) Hepcidin levels will decrease enabling iron absoprtion. In contrast, Hepcidin levels will increase in conditions that are not linked to low iron stores (e.g. Anemia of Chronic disease).