Absorption of Fe in the duodenum is poor. Divalent element such as Zn, Mn and Cu, inhibiting Fe absorption is attributed to their competition for the same binding protein. This requires a Cu containing enzyme, ceruloplasmin. Transferrin is a ferric iron containing protein, which is the major iron transporting protein found in blood. Iron can be stored in either a soluble form as ferritin or an insoluble form as hemosiderin.
Iron deficiency leads to hypochromic and microcytic anemia and reduced growth.
It can be attributed to simple iron deficiency, such as in baby pigs, or induced iron deficiency, such as cotton pelt in mink. The latter is caused by formaldehyde in the pacific hake binding to iron makes it unavailable for absorption. It also serves as cofactor for many different enzyme systems. Make sure you know them. They are related to the deficiency symptoms.