Hypophosphatemia after iron infusion : can we still ignore it ?

The occurrence of hypophosphatemia after iron infusion has been known for a long time but has only recently led to clinical concerns. It was considered to be of low clinical importance. The elucidation of the physiological mechanisms responsible for this effect, involving FGF23 and the ever-increasing number of cases with regard to the potentially very serious consequences on bone metabolism have recently raised probably justified concerns. In this article, we summarize the mechanisms of phosphate homeostasis, how intravenous iron can induce a phosphate deficiency and what precautions and treatments needs to be undertaken to prevent it.