Comparing Iron Studies in Iron Deficiency Anemia versus Anemia of Chronic Disease

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Comparing Iron Studies in Iron Deficiency Anemia versus Anemia of Chronic Disease

This slide will compare iron study results in the anemias of iron deficiency and chronic disease/inflammation.
ParameterIron Deficiency AnemiaAnemia of Chronic Disease/Chronic Inflammation
EtiologyIn adults in the United States, iron deficiency anemia is most likely the result of chronic blood loss. Chronic blood loss in conditions such as colon cancer depletes iron stores. In infants, however, iron deficiency anemia is commonly related to issues with diet or absorption of iron.Anemia of chronic disease/inflammation is found in several chronic conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory conditions, and diabetes mellitus. The protein hepcidin is responsible for decreased absorption of iron from the diet. In addition, hepcidin also traps iron in macrophages, increasing the stored form of iron (ferritin).
Serum ironDecreasedDecreased as hepcidin decreases iron absorption from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
FerritinDecreased as iron stores are drainedIncreased as hepcidin traps iron in macrophages
TIBCIncreased as more binding sites are open on the transferrin molecule secondary to iron deficiencyDecreased as fewer sites are open on the transferrin molecule due to hepcidin trapping iron
Erythrocyte/zinc protoporphyrinIncreased Increased
RBC morphologyMicrocytic/hypochromicNormocytic/normochromic (usually)