Iron deficiency | Thalassemia minor | |
Hemoglobin | Normal to low | Normal to low |
MCV | Normal to low (varies depending on severity, as low as 60 fL)* | Low (often <75 fL) |
RDW | High | Low |
RBC count | Low | High |
Reticulocyte count | Low | Normal to slightly increased |
Blood smear | Microcytosis, target cells | Microcytosis, abundant target cells, teardrop cells |
Hemolysis labs | Normal | Usually normal |
Iron studies | Low ferritin and TSAT | Normal (or slightly increased) ferritin |
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