Diagnosis A complete blood count can reveal microcytic anemia, although this is not always presenteven when iron deficiency progresses to iron-deficiency anemia. Low serum ferritin (see below) Low serum iron High TIBC (total iron binding capacity), although this can be elevated in cases of anemia of chronic inflammation. It is possible that the fecal occult blood test might be positive if iron deficiency is the result of gastrointestinal bleeding; although the sensitivity of the test may mean that in some cases it will be negative even with enteral blood loss.
Diagnosis A complete blood count can reveal microcytic anemia, although this is not always presenteven when iron deficiency progresses to iron-deficiency anemia. Low serum ferritin (see below) Low serum iron High TIBC (total iron binding capacity), although this can be elevated in cases of anemia of chronic inflammation. It is possible that the fecal occult blood test might be positive if iron deficiency is the result of gastrointestinal bleeding; although the sensitivity of the test may mean that in some cases it will be negative even with enteral blood loss.