Diagnosis of iron defeciency anemia (IDA)

Best test for diagnosis of iron defeciency anemia (IDA) in patients with chronic inflammation?
1)serum iron
2)serum ferritin
3)free erythrocyte protoporphyrin
4)soluble transferrin receptor

ANSWER:

Ans : its 4 soluble transferrin receptor (not 2)

Reason : Serum ferritin is an ACUTE PHASE REACTANT so it will be increased in chronic inflammation and it will mask IDA DIAGNOSIS
So in such case soluble transferrin receptor is best.

FREE ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN is increased in IDA as well as in ANEMIA OF CHRONIC DISEASE and this test is used to differentiate between IDA AND THALESSEMIA (its NORMAL in thallessemia)