Harmonizing Iron Terminology and Nomenclature

Iron is indispensable to human physiology, yet its terminology remains fragmented across clinical, laboratory, and chemical fields. With recent updates from several clinical guidelines, a unified framework for iron nomenclature has emerged. This editorial advocates for harmonization, replacing outdated and inconsistent terms such as functional iron deficiency and ferrous/ferric with standardized equivalents like iron-restricted erythropoiesis and iron(II)/iron(III). Consistent terminology is not a matter of semantics but of precision, ensuring clarity in communication, comparability across studies, and accuracy in diagnosis. Adoption of a common lexicon will strengthen research interpretation, education, and global clinical practice.