Serum levels of hepcidin are influenced by iron, hypoxia, erythropoietic drive and inflammation.12 The importance of inflammation in regulating iron availability in COPD is illustrated by the failure of the combination of iron deficiency and hypoxia to suppress hepcidin completely in the ID COPD group, whereas it is barely detectable in the ID healthy controls. The gene discussed is HAMP; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.