Low ferritin, low Fe, high TIBC
Common causes
- • IDA — chronic blood loss, poor intake, malabsorption
Significance: Ferritin <30 = IDA confirmed; investigate source.
Differential diagnosis
- • GI loss (PUD, Ca colon)
- • Menorrhagia
- • Hookworm
- • Coeliac
Next investigations
- • Stool occult blood
- • Endoscopy/colonoscopy if >40y or red flags
- • Coeliac serology
Red flags
- • IDA in male / post-menopausal female = colon ca until proven otherwise
