Which CBC pattern is most typical of iron deficiency anemia?

Which CBC pattern is most typical of iron deficiency anemia?

• A. Decreased MCHC and MCV
• B. Increased MCHC and MCV
• C. Normal MCHC and MCV
• D. Decreased MCH

Answer: (A)

Iron deficiency anemia typically produces microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells. When iron is lacking, hemoglobin synthesis drops, so red cells become smaller and contain less hemoglobin. This yields a decreased MCV (mean corpuscular volume) and a decreased MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). The combination of low MCV and low MCHC is the classic CBC pattern for this condition. Increased MCV and MCHC would point away from iron deficiency (toward macrocytic or hyperchromic patterns), while normal values or a sole decrease in MCH are less characteristic.

Iron deficiency anemia typically produces microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells. When iron is lacking, hemoglobin synthesis drops, so red cells become smaller and contain less hemoglobin. This yields a decreased MCV (mean corpuscular volume) and a decreased MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). The combination of low MCV and low MCHC is the classic CBC pattern for this condition. Increased MCV and MCHC would point away from iron deficiency (toward macrocytic or hyperchromic patterns), while normal values or a sole decrease in MCH are less characteristic.