Basic Features
1- Red cell indices and blood film appearances suggest iron deficiency, although peripheral blood changes are not usually as marked as in moderate or severe iron deficiency.
Contents
2- Erythropoiesis is abnormal because of ineffective iron utilisation with poor haemoglobinisation of red cell precursors and
3- Bone marrow iron stores are normal or increased and sideroblasts may be frequent and abnormal.
Causes
1- Secondary anaemias
- Chronic infection/inflammation
- Malignancy
2- Thalassaemia
3- Sideroblastic anaemia
"Differentiation from iron deficiency"
The serum iron and total iron-binding capacity (transferrin) are helpful but not diagnostic; it is quiet possible to have co-existing ineffective iron utilisation and iron deficiency, as determined by bone marrow iron status,e.g. in rheumatoid arthritis.