Diagnosis

Tests

• Labs to determine etiology of anemia - and common patterns

• Common labs (some can be omitted based on suspected etiology): iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, ferritin, reticulocyte count, peripheral smear, creatinine, lfts, tsh, b12

• Reticulocyte count needs adjustment for degree of anemia, as a "normal" absolute retic count in the face of anemia is abnormal (production should be increased). The reticulocyte index (RI) adjusts for the degree of anemia (RI: https://www.mdcalc.com/absolute-reticulocyte-count-reticulocyte-index), w/an RI < 2 indicating hypoproliferation

• Iron deficiency: microcytic, hypocrhomic, low retics, low iron, low transferrin saturation, low ferritin

• Hemolysis: elevated retic count, elevated LDH, elevated bilirubin (unconjugated), low haptoglobin

• Chronic disease/Inflammation: normal or elevated ferritin, normal or low transferrin saturation, decreased retic count

• Other labs (e.g. lead, copper) based on exposure/other history