Soluble transferrin receptor and immature reticulocytes are not useful for distinguishing iron-deficiency anemia from heterozygous beta-thalassemia.
Iron deficiency and heterozygous beta-thalassemia are important causes of hypochromic-microcytic anemia. Two laboratory parameters are suggested for the differentiation of such anemia. High-fluorescence reticulocyte counts and soluble transferrin receptor levels were determined in iron-deficiency anemia patients (n = 49) and heterozygous beta-thalassemia patients (n = 43). There was no significant difference in high-fluorescence reticulocyte and soluble transferrin receptor values between the two groups, but a correlation was observed between high-fluorescence reticulocytes and soluble transferrin receptors in iron-deficiency anemia, probably due to increased receptor synthesis as a response to decreased iron content in erythrocytes.
de Lima
Gisélia Aparecida Freire Maia
GA
Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Grotto
Helena Zerlotti Wolf
HZ
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood*; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics
D015415:Biomarkers; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin