Table 2.

Differentiation between the anemia of chronic disease and iron-deficiency anemia by laboratory measures of iron status.

Laboratory Measure
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Plasma iron concentration  Reduced to normal   Reduced  
Plasma transferrin concentration  Reduced to normal   Increased  
Transferrin saturation  Reduced to normal   Reduced  
Plasma ferritin   Normal to increased  Reduced  
Plasma Transferrin Receptor   Normal   Increased  
Transferrin receptor/log ferritin   Low (<1)*  high (>4)  
Bold letters indicate the condition which is observed more frequently.  
Laboratory Measure
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Plasma iron concentration  Reduced to normal   Reduced  
Plasma transferrin concentration  Reduced to normal   Increased  
Transferrin saturation  Reduced to normal   Reduced  
Plasma ferritin   Normal to increased  Reduced  
Plasma Transferrin Receptor   Normal   Increased  
Transferrin receptor/log ferritin   Low (<1)*  high (>4)  
Bold letters indicate the condition which is observed more frequently.  
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