what role does iron play
Another important effect of iron in heme metabolism is its role in the accumulation of uro-and hepta-carboxyl porphyrins in the liver known to occur in porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). 14 Most patients with PCT have a moderate increase of liver iron, which seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Iron is an essential trace element that is used to form molecules in the body, such as hemoglobin. Ferritin is the protein within the body that stores iron and releases it through channels in a controlled fashion.