Inflammation → ↑ hepcidin (released by liver, binds ferroportin on intestinal mucosal cells and macrophages, thus inhibiting iron transport) → ↓ release of iron from macrophages and ↓ iron absorption from gut.

- Associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, neoplastic disorders, chronic kidney disease.

Findings:- ↓ iron, ↓ TIBC, ↑ ferritin- Normocytic, but can become microcytic

Treatment: Address underlying cause of inflammation, judicious use of blood transfusion. Consider EPO (eg, chronic kidney disease)