[The value of serum ferritin, serum iron and iron-binding capacity in the differential diagnosis of microcytic hypochromic anemia].

Ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation were measured in the serum of 247 patients with microcytic hypochromic anemia. Differentiation into various categories of microcytic hypochromic anemia was based on clinical criteria and on the response to iron treatment. This produced 147 patients with iron deficiency anemia, 35 patients with anemia secondary to infection, 27 patients with anemia due to tumor and 38 patients with thalassemia. Analysis of the iron parameters revealed the reliability of both serum ferritin and transferrin saturation in distinguishing between the various forms of anemia. However, measurement of serum ferritin is slightly more reliable and much less expensive than determination of transferrin saturation.