NTDT Iron Burden Estimator

In NTDT, iron is absorbed slowly via the gut and distributed primarily to hepatocytes. Ferritin, which is partially driven by macrophage iron, remains lower because the reticuloendothelial system is relatively spared compared to transfusion-based overload.

The understanding of NTDT as a distinct clinical entity with its own iron dynamics emerged in the early 2010s, leading to the THALASSA trial and refined TIF guidelines.