What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether standard complete blood count discrimination indices can accurately distinguish iron-deficient from non-iron-deficient microcytosis defined by serum ferritin.

August 15, 2026International Journal of Laboratory Hematology

Diagnostic Utility of Complete Blood Count Indices in Ferritin‐Defined Microcytosis Among United States Women Aged 18–49 Years

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Authors

JHJinxiao HouAnhui Medical University XSXiao Min ShangAnshan Hospital HZHengwei ZhangClaremont Graduate University

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Implication

Cross-sectional study finds complete blood count indices have poor specificity for distinguishing iron deficiency in microcytic women, indicating ferritin testing remains essential.

Key Points

To determine whether standard complete blood count discrimination indices can accurately distinguish iron-deficient from non-iron-deficient microcytosis defined by serum ferritin.
Analyzed survey-weighted NHANES data (2015–2018 and August 2021–August 2023) from 3,991 nonpregnant US women aged 18–49 years.
Evaluated Mentzer, England–Fraser, Srivastava, and red cell distribution width (RDW) indices among 507 women with microcytosis (MCV < 80 fL), defining iron deficiency as ferritin < 15 ng/mL with sensitivity analyses at < 30 ng/mL and CRP restrictions (≤ 5 and ≤ 3 mg/L).
Non-iron-deficient microcytosis accounted for 40.8% (95% CI, 35.5–46.2) of microcytosis cases, remaining at 37.0% and 33.6% after CRP restrictions of ≤ 5 and ≤ 3 mg/L.
All four complete blood count indices showed high sensitivity (92.9%–97.6%) but poor specificity (6.7%–35.3%) for identifying iron deficiency, with RDW achieving the highest specificity despite misclassifying most non-iron-deficient cases.

Cite This Study

Hou et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8019a975c2e31742c85b63 https://doi.org/10.1111/ijlh.70219

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Implication

Cross-sectional study finds complete blood count indices have poor specificity for distinguishing iron deficiency in microcytic women, indicating ferritin testing remains essential.

Diagnostic Utility of Complete Blood Count Indices in Ferritin‐Defined Microcytosis Among United States Women Aged 18–49 Years

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Diagnostic Utility of Complete Blood Count Indices in Ferritin‐Defined Microcytosis Among United States Women Aged 18–49 Years

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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