Iron-deficiency Anaemia Diagnosis Profile

Purpose of IRON-DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA DIAGNOSIS PROFILE Test

The Iron-Deficiency Anemia Profile is ordered when a patient shows symptoms such as:

• Fatigue, weakness, or pallor
• Shortness of breath or dizziness
• Brittle nails or hair loss

Components of the IRON-DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA DIAGNOSIS PROFILE

A. CBC (Complete Blood Count)

Measures blood cells to detect anemia.

Component	What It Shows in Iron-Deficiency Anemia
RBC count	Usually low or normal
Hemoglobin (Hb)	Low (main indicator of anemia)
Hematocrit (Hct)	Low
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)	Low (microcytic anemia)
MCH / MCHC	Low (hypochromic, less hemoglobin per RBC)
WBC / Platelets	Usually normal, sometimes platelets may be slightly elevated

Serum Iron

• Measures the amount of iron in the blood.
• Low in iron-deficiency anemia.
• Normal or high in other types of anemia.

Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)

• Measures the blood’s capacity to carry iron, indirectly reflecting transferrin levels.
• High TIBC → commonly seen in iron-deficiency anemia (the body produces more transferrin to capture more iron).
• Low or normal TIBC → may indicate anemia of chronic disease.

Ferritin

• Measures stored iron in the body (mostly in liver, spleen, and bone marrow).
• Low ferritin → most specific test for iron deficiency.
• Normal or high ferritin → rules out iron deficiency but may be raised in inflammation.

Reticulocyte Count

• Measures immature red blood cells produced by bone marrow.
• Low reticulocyte count → indicates bone marrow is not producing enough RBCs (common in early IDA).
• High reticulocyte count → bone marrow is responding appropriately, e.g., after iron therapy or blood loss.

How the Test is Performed

1. Blood Sample Collection: Usually from a vein in the arm.
2. CBC: Automated hematology analyzer.
3. Iron, TIBC, Ferritin, Reticulocyte Count: Serum analysis in lab.
4. Interpretation: Combined results help confirm iron-deficiency anemia and guide treatment.

Why IRON-DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA DIAGNOSIS PROFILE Test is Ordered

• To confirm iron-deficiency anemia rather than other causes of anemia (like vitamin B12 deficiency or anemia of chronic disease).
• To assess severity and guide iron therapy.
• To monitor response to treatment (reticulocyte count rises after effective therapy).

Who Should Consider IRON-DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA DIAGNOSIS PROFILE test

• Individuals with symptoms of anemia: fatigue, weakness, pallor, dizziness.
• People with chronic blood loss: heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Vegetarians or individuals with poor dietary iron intake.
• Pregnant women, who are at higher risk of iron deficiency.
• Patients with chronic diseases who might develop anemia.