Which combination of iron studies is most consistent with iron deficiency anemia?

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Multiple Choice

Which combination of iron studies is most consistent with iron deficiency anemia?

Explanation:
Iron deficiency anemia shows depleted iron stores, so ferritin falls because it mirrors stored iron. The body tries to grab whatever iron is left by making more transferrin, which raises the total iron-binding capacity. Put together, you see low serum iron, low ferritin, and high TIBC. That pattern is the best fit for iron deficiency. Other patterns—like high iron with high ferritin, or normal values, or low iron with high ferritin or low TIBC—point to other conditions such as iron overload, inflammation, or anemia of chronic disease, not straightforward iron deficiency.

Iron deficiency anemia shows depleted iron stores, so ferritin falls because it mirrors stored iron. The body tries to grab whatever iron is left by making more transferrin, which raises the total iron-binding capacity. Put together, you see low serum iron, low ferritin, and high TIBC. That pattern is the best fit for iron deficiency. Other patterns—like high iron with high ferritin, or normal values, or low iron with high ferritin or low TIBC—point to other conditions such as iron overload, inflammation, or anemia of chronic disease, not straightforward iron deficiency.

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