Hemostasis Today
NewsFeed
Headlines Hematology Health Medicine VTE ASH Plasma Donation
November, 2026
November 2026
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
Samwel Mikaye: Understanding the Distinction Between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Anemia of Chronic Disease
Dr. S.0 MIKAYE / LinkedIn
May 5, 2026, 10:58

Samwel Mikaye: Understanding the Distinction Between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Anemia of Chronic Disease

Samwel Mikaye, Medical Doctor at MSK, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Iron deficiency anemia

Definition

Anemia caused by true depletion of body iron stores, leading to reduced hemoglobin synthesis.

Causes:

  • Chronic blood loss (most common)
  • Menorrhagia
  • GI bleeding (ulcer, malignancy)
  • Poor dietary intake
  • Malabsorption (e.g., celiac disease)
  • Increased demand (pregnancy, growth)

Pathophysiology:

Reduced iron stores leads to reduced hemoglobin, which causes microcytic, hypochromic RBCs.

Clinical Features:

  • Fatigue, weakness
  • Pallor
  • Pica (ice/clay craving)
  • Koilonychia (spoon nails)
  • Glossitis, angular cheilitis

Lab Findings:

  • Reduced Hb
  • Reduced MCV
  • Reduced ferritin (KEY finding)
  • Increased TIBC
  • Reduced transferrin saturation

Management:

  • Treat cause (e.g., GI bleed workup)
  • Oral iron (ferrous sulfate)
  • IV iron if needed

Anemia of chronic disease

Definition:

Anemia caused by chronic inflammation/infection/malignancy leading to impaired iron utilization.

Causes:

  • Chronic infections (e.g., TB)
  • Autoimmune disease (RA, SLE)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Malignancy

Pathophysiology (key idea):

Inflammation upregulates hepcidin, which leads to iron trapped in macrophages
So iron is present but not usable.

Clinical Features:

  • Symptoms of underlying chronic disease
  • Mild anemia (usually less severe than iron deficiency)

Lab Findings:

  • Reduced or normal serum iron
  • Normal or increased ferritin (iron stored but trapped)
  • Reduced TIBC
  • Normal or slightly reduced MCV (can be normocytic or mildly microcytic)

Management:

  • Treat underlying disease
  • Erythropoietin (especially in CKD)
  • Iron therapy usually not effective alone.”

Samwel Mikaye: Understanding the Distinction Between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Anemia of Chronic Disease

Stay updated with Hemostasis Today.

anemia Anemia of Chronic Disease Health Hematology Hemostasis Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today Iron deficiency anaemia Medicine Samwel Omari Mikaye
NewsFeed