Diagnostic Utility of Red Blood Cell Indices-Derived Formulas in Discriminating Beta-Thalassemia Trait from Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

he two most frequently encountered microcytic hypochromic anemias are iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and β-thalassemia trait (β-TT) which need relatively expensive laboratory tests to be differentiated. It is well known IDA is the most prevalent nutritional disorder in the world. It is estimated that around 2.15 billion individuals suffer from iron deficiency anemia. Beta Thalassemia is the most common chronic hemolytic anemia in Egypt (85.1% of all hemolytic anemias). A carrier rate of 9-10.2% has been estimated in 1000 normal random subjects from different geographical areas of Egypt. Considering the great similarity between IDA and β-TT, complementary laboratory methods are needed besides the routine blood examination. Currently, diagnosis of IDA is obtained by evaluating the iron metabolism, including serum iron, total serum iron binding capacity and serum ferritin measurements. Diagnosis of the β-TT is usually made by hemoglobin electrophoresis and HbA2 levels being more than 3.5%.