Educational guide
Hepcidin: Definition, Function & Tests
A note from Cleveland Clinic You can thank the hormone hepcidin for making sure your body has the right amount of iron. Hepcidin manages how your body absorbs iron. Too little iron can lead to anemia. Too much iron can cause iron overload. Anemia and iron over
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A note from Cleveland Clinic
You can thank the hormone hepcidin for making sure your body has the right amount of iron. Hepcidin manages how your body absorbs iron. Too little iron can lead to anemia. Too much iron can cause iron overload. Anemia and iron overload are just two examples of issues that can upend this delicate balancing act.
Experts You Can Trust
Medically Reviewed.Last updated on 08/05/2026.Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
References
Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
Experts You Can Trust
Medically Reviewed.Last updated on 08/05/2026.References
Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
- Ems T, St Lucia K, Huecker MR. Biochemistry, iron absorption (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448204). 2023 Apr 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Accessed 8/5/2026.
- Girelli D, Nemeth E, Swinkels DW. Hepcidin in the diagnosis of iron disorders (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4956612/). Blood. 2016 Jun 9;127(23):2809-13. Accessed 8/5/2026.
- Nemeth E, Ganz T. Hepcidin and Iron in Health and Disease (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31649559/). Annu Rev Med. 2023 Jan 27;74:261-277. Accessed 8/5/2026.
- Pagani A, Nai A, Silvestri L, et al. Hepcidin and anemia: a tight relationship (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31649559/). Front Physiol. 2019 Oct 9;10:1294. Accessed 8/5/2026.