H-ferritin receptors on endothelial cells In rat brain rat brainmicrovasculature are a means for transporting ironacross the blood brain bar~er. A method for treating an iron deficiencydisorder in the brain of a patient comprises administe~ngto a patient in need an H- ferritin-iron complex. A method for using H-ferritin as a targeting moiety comprises attaching H-ferritinto a liposome targeted to the brain or cells within the brain. A method fortreating an iron overload disorder in a patient comprisesadministering to a patient a multi subunit ferritin complex at less than 100%iron binding capacity.