Iron absorption will be increased in:

 # Iron absorption will be increased in: 

a. Pregnancy 

b. Chronic inflammation 

c. Iron overload 

d. Phosphates

The correct answer is A. Pregnancy.

Factors that increase iron absorption from GI tracts are:

• Dietary factors

• Increased heme iron (particularly in meat)

• Ferrous iron salts

• GI factors

         – Acid pH

• Increased requirement:

         – Iron deficiency

         – Increased erythropoiesis

         – Pregnancy

         – Hypoxia

Factors that decrease iron absorption are:

• Ferric iron salts

• Malabsorption

• Proximal bowel resection

• Presence of oxalates, phytates and phosphates in diet

• Inflammatory disorders (due to increased hepcidin level)

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