<prompt> A 30-year-old female, RBC count 4.5 million, MCV- 55 fl, TLC- 7000, no history of blood transfusion, Mentzer index - 12. Diagnosis is?Iron deficiency anemiaThalassemia majorThalassemia minorMegaloblastic anemia  <response>: Since MCV is reduced this indicates microcytic anemia, which rules out choice D. No history of blood transfusion rules out thalassemia major. Mentzer index MCVRBC count If mentzer index 13 - Thalassemia minor 13 - Iron deficiency The Mentzer index in the given question is - 12 thus it is most likely a case of thalassemia minor. 