 Although generally safe, certain iron preparations have been associated with severe phosphorus and calcitriol deficiency, caused by elevation in serum levels of fgf23, a phosphaturic humoral factor derived from osteocytes. Fractional excretion of phosphorus is indeed raised in these patients. In some cases phosphorus deficiency, or high fgf23 levels, are so severe that osteomalacia can result . This phenomenon has been observed with saccharated ferric oxide , a preparation commonly used in Japan, and in iron polymaltose . It has also been observed with iron carboxymaltose , a newer iron preparation, now available in Israel. These reports propose that iron causes elevated fgf23 levels, which in turn decreases phosphorus absorption and inhibits 1α-hydroxylase activity. Patients with deficient vitamin D have greater tendency to develop hypophosphatemia. 