In the initial stages of iron deficiency (ID), iron requirements exceed intake (1). To compensate, the absorption of dietary iron increases (due to the suppression of hepcidin) as the systemic need for iron is the major determinant of update and transfer. During the later stages of ID, red blood cell (RBC) synthesis is impaired, which leads to iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) (1). Anemia is characterized by reductions in hemoglobin and/or circulating red blood cell (RBC) mass to