Myoglobin is a red, iron-containing protein, which stores oxygen for muscle contraction. There are about 3 mg to 5 gm of iron in the body, of which hemoglobin represents 65%, while about 30% occurs as ferritin, which is the iron storage complex found in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Neutrophils depend on iron to help generate superoxide to function as a bacteria-destroying agent, whereby inadequate iron levels reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. With severe iron deficiency, hemoglobin levels decline and the packed volume of red blood cells, the hematocrit, declines... Full Text