Which iron parameter is decreased in a microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency?

Which iron parameter is decreased in a microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency?

• A. Ferritin increased
• B. TIBC increased
• C. TIBC decreased
• D. Ferritin decreased

Answer: (D)

Ferritin reflects stored iron. In iron deficiency, those iron stores are depleted, so ferritin levels fall. This decrease helps distinguish iron deficiency from other causes of anemia where ferritin might be normal or elevated (such as inflammation). In contrast, total iron-binding capacity increases in iron deficiency as the body makes more transferrin to scavenge iron, and serum iron with transferrin saturation fall. Thus the parameter that decreases in this scenario is ferritin.

Ferritin reflects stored iron. In iron deficiency, those iron stores are depleted, so ferritin levels fall. This decrease helps distinguish iron deficiency from other causes of anemia where ferritin might be normal or elevated (such as inflammation). In contrast, total iron-binding capacity increases in iron deficiency as the body makes more transferrin to scavenge iron, and serum iron with transferrin saturation fall. Thus the parameter that decreases in this scenario is ferritin.