Which laboratory findings are typically decreased in anemia?

Which laboratory findings are typically decreased in anemia?

• A. Increased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and transferrin
• B. Decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and transferrin
• C. Decreased platelets
• D. Normal iron levels

Answer: (B)

Lowered hemoglobin and hematocrit are the hallmark lab signs of anemia, reflecting reduced red blood cell mass and oxygen-carrying capacity. Transferrin, the iron-transport protein, tends to decrease in inflammatory states that cause certain anemias (such as anemia of chronic disease). So the combination of decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit, and decreased transferrin aligns with how many anemias present in the lab, making this pattern the best match among the options. The other patterns—such as increased red cell markers, or normal iron with just a platelet change—do not fit the typical anemia profile.

Lowered hemoglobin and hematocrit are the hallmark lab signs of anemia, reflecting reduced red blood cell mass and oxygen-carrying capacity. Transferrin, the iron-transport protein, tends to decrease in inflammatory states that cause certain anemias (such as anemia of chronic disease). So the combination of decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit, and decreased transferrin aligns with how many anemias present in the lab, making this pattern the best match among the options. The other patterns—such as increased red cell markers, or normal iron with just a platelet change—do not fit the typical anemia profile.