Dr Abdul Mannan: The Mentzer Index Remains a Cornerstone Screening Tool in Haematology
Dr Abdul Mannan, Consultant Haematologist at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, posted on LinkedIn:
“The Mentzer Index: A Valuable yet Imperfect Tool
The Mentzer Index remains a cornerstone screening tool in haematology.
It offers immediate differentiation between iron deficiency anaemia and β-thalassaemia trait using routine FBC parameters—no additional cost, no delay.
Its elegance lies in its simplicity: MCV divided by red cell count. However, limitations are critical: grey zone cases (MI 11–15), dual pathology, and α-thalassaemia confound interpretation.
The index guides, not diagnoses—confirmatory ferritin and HbA₂ quantification remain mandatory. In resource-limited settings, it prioritises costly testing.
In high-resource settings, it prevents diagnostic delay. Never use in isolation; always integrate clinical context, ethnicity, and family history.
The Mentzer Index exemplifies evidence-based medicine: a simple calculation with profound clinical impact when used judiciously.”
Title: Mentzer Index — Evidence-Based Review
Authors: Dr Abdul Mannan FRCPath FCPS
Read full article here.
Stay informed with Hemostasis Today.
-
Aug 11, 2026, 07:50When Access to Care Changes Everything – WFH
-
Aug 11, 2026, 07:41Kevin Land: How Cellular Therapy Is Changing Transfusion Medicine
-
Aug 11, 2026, 07:35Kuldeep Singh Bhadauria: Building the Future of Hemophilia Care in India
-
Aug 11, 2026, 07:28Archil Jaliashvili: When Every Minute Matters Time Becomes a Therapy
-
Aug 11, 2026, 07:05Mavis Agnes Kisakye: Building Sustainable Transition Pathways in Hemophilia Care
-
Aug 11, 2026, 06:48Rishdha Roshad: What Happens to the Brain During Cardiopulmonary Bypass?
-
Aug 11, 2026, 05:53Isaac Okello: Strengthening Sickle Cell Advocacy in Uganda
-
Aug 11, 2026, 05:38Rami Unterman: A Simple New Biomarker for Fibrotic ILDs
-
Aug 11, 2026, 04:10Haroun Gajraj: CLaCS vs Sclerotherapy – What Does the Evidence Show