What are the diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is very common in life. Among the affected population, most patients are women and the elderly. This is determined by their physical constitution. Women's monthly blood loss is a major cause of anemia, while the elderly suffer from iron deficiency anemia due to their age, excessive loss of iron, or malnutrition. So, what are the diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency anemia?

1. Sideroblastic anemia: Anemia caused by impaired red blood cell iron utilization due to genetic or unknown causes. It manifests as microcytic anemia, but the serum ferritin concentration is increased, the number of hemosiderin granules in the bone marrow increases, the number of sideroblasts increases, and ring sideroblasts appear. Serum iron and iron saturation increase, and total iron binding capacity is not low.

2. Thalassemia: There is a family history. There are signs of hemolysis. Many target cells can be seen in the blood smear. Increased fetal hemoglobin or hemoglobin A2. Serum ferritin, bone marrow stainable iron, serum iron and iron saturation are not low and are often increased.

3. Anemia of chronic disease: anemia due to abnormal iron metabolism caused by chronic inflammation, infection, or tumor. The anemia is microcytic. Iron storage (serum ferritin and bone marrow granular hemosiderin) is increased. Serum iron, serum iron saturation, and total iron binding capacity were decreased.

4. Transferrin deficiency: autosomal recessive (congenital) or secondary to severe liver disease or tumor (acquired). It manifests as microcytic hypochromic anemia. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin and bone marrow hemosiderin were significantly decreased. Congenital, occurs in young children, accompanied by developmental abnormalities and multiple organ dysfunction. Acquired, with manifestations of primary disease.