Abstract
Answer C. Low serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation with high total iron binding capacity
Iron deficiency anaemia cannot be diagnosed with serum ferritin alone. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant and can therefore be falsely elevated in infection and chronic diseases. A full iron profile is more useful. In an otherwise healthy person with iron deficiency anaemia, serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation will be low, conversely the total iron binding capacity will be high.
InnovAiT article: Interpreting the full blood count. DOI: 10.1177/17557380211065773.