-5%
Ferric iron works by binding dietary phosphate in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, forming ferric phosphate, which is insoluble and excreted in the stool. This process reduces phosphate absorption and lowers serum phosphorus levels. Ferric iron is converted to its ferrous form in the GI tract by ferric reductase and transported through enterocytes into the bloodstream. In the blood, ferric iron binds to the plasma protein transferrin, which facilitates its incorporation into hemoglobin.
