In anemia of chronic disease, which laboratory findings are typically observed?

In anemia of chronic disease, the characteristic laboratory findings include low serum iron and low total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). This condition is often associated with chronic inflammation or chronic diseases, which lead to iron sequestration and reduced iron availability for erythropoiesis, even though the body's iron stores may be sufficient or even increased.

The low serum iron reflects the reduced availability of circulating iron, typically due to its sequestration by macrophages and other immune cells in response to inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, the low TIBC results from decreased transferrin production, which is often influenced by inflammatory states. Transferrin is the primary protein that binds iron in the circulation, and in the context of anemia of chronic disease, the body tends to produce less transferrin, contributing to the low TIBC observation.

This profile contrasts with other types of anemia, such as iron deficiency anemia, which would show high TIBC and low ferritin, or anemia due to hemolysis, which may reflect a different set of iron parameters. Recognizing these distinct patterns is crucial for the appropriate diagnosis and management of anemia in patients with chronic diseases.