Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of chronic disease/anemia of inflammation (ACD/AI) may be difficult to distinguish. IDA is an anemia caused by low iron stores in the body, while ACD/AI is a functional anemia of iron-restricted erythropoiesis related to diseases such as infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and end-organ failure. After a CBC result indicating anemia, the workup to distinguish between IDA and ACD/AI includes ferritin, iron and iron binding capacity, and serum soluble transferrin receptor testing.
Refer to ARUP Laboratories’ test offerings below.
ARUP Laboratory Tests
Method
Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Method
Quantitative Spectrophotometry
Method
Quantitative Immunoturbidimetry