Which laboratory finding most supports anemia of chronic disease?

Which laboratory finding most supports anemia of chronic disease?

• A. Low ferritin
• B. Low transferrin saturation
• C. Normal or high ferritin
• D. Elevated TIBC

Answer: (C)

Normal or high ferritin best supports anemia of chronic disease because inflammation raises ferritin and iron is sequestered in storage sites, making stored iron adequate or increased while circulating iron is reduced. This pattern—low serum iron and low transferrin saturation with normal or high ferritin—is typical of anemia of inflammation, in contrast to iron deficiency where ferritin is low. TIBC tends to be low or normal in this condition, not elevated.

Normal or high ferritin best supports anemia of chronic disease because inflammation raises ferritin and iron is sequestered in storage sites, making stored iron adequate or increased while circulating iron is reduced. This pattern—low serum iron and low transferrin saturation with normal or high ferritin—is typical of anemia of inflammation, in contrast to iron deficiency where ferritin is low. TIBC tends to be low or normal in this condition, not elevated.