Potentially useful laboratory measurements in the study of patients with anemia due to ineffective erythropoiesis
| Laboratory measurement . | Anemia due to ineffective erythropoiesis . | Anemia due to erythroid hypoproliferation . | Anemia due to peripheral hemolysis . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reticulocyte production index* | <2 | <2 | >3 |
| Unconjugated bilirubin | Normal to increased values | Normal values | Increased values |
| M/E ratio | <1:1 | >1:1 | <1:1 |
| Body iron status (serum iron, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin) | Tendency to parenchymal iron overload (increased values for serum iron, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin) | Variable pattern | Variable pattern |
| Soluble transferrin receptor | Variably increased | Normal values (with the exception of iron-deficiency anemia) | Variably increased |
| Laboratory measurement . | Anemia due to ineffective erythropoiesis . | Anemia due to erythroid hypoproliferation . | Anemia due to peripheral hemolysis . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reticulocyte production index* | <2 | <2 | >3 |
| Unconjugated bilirubin | Normal to increased values | Normal values | Increased values |
| M/E ratio | <1:1 | >1:1 | <1:1 |
| Body iron status (serum iron, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin) | Tendency to parenchymal iron overload (increased values for serum iron, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin) | Variable pattern | Variable pattern |
| Soluble transferrin receptor | Variably increased | Normal values (with the exception of iron-deficiency anemia) | Variably increased |
Values found in anemic conditions due to erythroid hypoproliferation or peripheral hemolysis are reported for comparison.
Reticulocyte production index = reticulocyte count (%) × hemoglobin (g/dL)/15 × 0.5.