Which of the following lab profiles is most consistent with uncomplicated iron deficiency anemia?
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Correct answer: Low Serum Iron, High TIBC, Low Ferritin
Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by low serum iron and low storage iron (ferritin). The TIBC increases as a compensatory mechanism, resulting in a significantly decreased transferrin saturation (typically below 15%).
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More Iron Deficiency Anemia questions
- What is 'Koilonychia' and which condition is it most associated with?
- Where is the majority of dietary iron absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract?
- What happens to the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in the early stages of iron deficiency anemia?
- Which form of dietary iron is most easily absorbed by the human gut?
- Which of the following would you expect to see on a bone marrow biopsy stained with Prussian Blue in a patient with iron deficiency anemia?
- Which enzyme's activity is directly impaired by a lack of iron, contributing to the symptoms of iron deficiency beyond just anemia?