Is anemia a differential diagnosis?
Iron deficiency anemia is classically described as a microcytic anemia. The differential diagnosis includes thalassemia, sideroblastic anemias, some types of anemia of chronic disease, and lead poisoning. Serum ferritin is the preferred initial diagnostic test.
How iron deficiency is diagnosed?
Iron-deficiency anemia is diagnosed by blood tests that should include a complete blood count (CBC). Additional tests may be ordered to evaluate the levels of serum ferritin, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and/or transferrin.
How is CBC iron deficiency anemia diagnosed?
To screen for iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may order a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC) to see if you have lower than normal red blood cell counts, hemoglobin or hematocrit levels, or mean corpuscular volume (MCV) that would suggest anemia.
What are the different types of iron deficiency?
They include:
- Iron deficiency anemia. This most common type of anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your body.
- Vitamin deficiency anemia.
- Anemia of inflammation.
- Aplastic anemia.
- Anemias associated with bone marrow disease.
- Hemolytic anemias.
- Sickle cell anemia.
What is the differential diagnosis of microcytic anemia?
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of microcytic anemia. The absence of iron stores in the bone marrow remains the most definitive test for differentiating iron deficiency from the other microcytic states, ie, anemia of chronic disease, thalassemia, and sideroblastic anemia.
What test results show anemia?
Often, the first test used to diagnose anemia is a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC measures many parts of your blood. The test checks your hemoglobin and hematocrit (hee-MAT-oh-crit) levels. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body.
What is the best test for iron deficiency anemia?
Measurement of the serum ferritin level is the most accurate test to diagnose iron deficiency anemia.
What is iron on a CBC test?
Serum iron. This test measures the amount of iron in your blood. The level of iron in your blood may be normal even if the total amount of iron in your body is low. For this reason, other iron tests also are done.
What kind of anemia is iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia — a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron.
What is a differential diagnosis example?
For example, many infections cause fever, headaches, and fatigue. Many mental health disorders cause sadness, anxiety, and sleep problems. A differential diagnosis looks at the possible disorders that could be causing your symptoms.