In iron-deficiency anemia, which pattern is observed: serum iron and transferrin saturation are typically?

In iron-deficiency anemia, which pattern is observed: serum iron and transferrin saturation are typically?

• A. High serum iron and high transferrin saturation
• B. Low serum iron and low transferrin saturation
• C. Low serum iron and high transferrin saturation
• D. High serum iron and low transferrin saturation

Answer: (B)

In iron deficiency, the amount of iron available in the body is reduced, so circulating serum iron falls. The body responds by making more transferrin to capture and transport the limited iron, which increases the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Transferrin saturation is calculated as serum iron divided by TIBC times 100; with both a low serum iron and a high TIBC, the saturation result is low. That combination—low serum iron with low transferrin saturation—is the typical pattern you’d expect in iron-deficiency anemia. Ferritin would also usually be low, reflecting depleted iron stores.

In iron deficiency, the amount of iron available in the body is reduced, so circulating serum iron falls. The body responds by making more transferrin to capture and transport the limited iron, which increases the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Transferrin saturation is calculated as serum iron divided by TIBC times 100; with both a low serum iron and a high TIBC, the saturation result is low. That combination—low serum iron with low transferrin saturation—is the typical pattern you’d expect in iron-deficiency anemia. Ferritin would also usually be low, reflecting depleted iron stores.