Which pattern best describes ferritin and TIBC in iron deficiency anemia?

Which pattern best describes ferritin and TIBC in iron deficiency anemia?

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

Answer: (D)

In iron deficiency anemia, ferritin reflects stored iron and TIBC reflects how much transferrin is available to bind iron. When iron stores are depleted, ferritin levels fall because there is less iron stored inside cells. At the same time, the liver ramps up production of transferrin to maximize iron transport, so total iron-binding capacity increases. So the characteristic pattern is low ferritin with high TIBC. Elevated ferritin with low TIBC would point away from iron deficiency and toward other states such as inflammation with adequate or excess iron stores.

In iron deficiency anemia, ferritin reflects stored iron and TIBC reflects how much transferrin is available to bind iron. When iron stores are depleted, ferritin levels fall because there is less iron stored inside cells. At the same time, the liver ramps up production of transferrin to maximize iron transport, so total iron-binding capacity increases. So the characteristic pattern is low ferritin with high TIBC. Elevated ferritin with low TIBC would point away from iron deficiency and toward other states such as inflammation with adequate or excess iron stores.