🩸 Anemia Differential Interpretation
An MCV-based anemia differential with reticulocyte and iron-study interpretation. Browser-side reference that pairs with the RPI, TSAT and iron-deficit tools.
Microcytic: iron deficiency vs thalassaemia vs chronic disease.
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When to use
Frame the anemia workup by cell size and marrow response, then quantify with the dedicated calculators.
How it works
Microcytic < 80 fL, normocytic 80–100, macrocytic > 100 fL; reticulocyte production index > 2–3 = marrow response.
Key points
- Microcytic: iron deficiency vs thalassaemia vs chronic disease.
- Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant — falsely raised in inflammation.
- Reticulocyte index separates haemolysis/blood loss from underproduction.
- Macrocytosis: check B12/folate, alcohol/liver disease, hypothyroidism, MDS.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| View | By MCV |
|---|
→DifferentialBy MCV
- Microcytic < 80 fL：Iron deficiency, thalassaemia, chronic disease (some), sideroblastic
- Normocytic 80–100：Acute blood loss, chronic disease, haemolysis, renal, marrow
- Macrocytic > 100：Megaloblastic (B12/folate), alcohol/liver disease, hypothyroidism, MDS, high reticulocytes
| View | Reticulocyte / iron |
|---|
→DifferentialReticulocyte / iron
- Reticulocyte index (RPI)：> 2–3 marrow compensation (blood loss/haemolysis); < 2 underproduction (see 'RPI')
- Iron studies：Ferritin (falsely ↑ in inflammation), TSAT (see tool)
Frequently asked questions
- What is Anemia Differential Interpretation?
- An MCV-based anemia differential with reticulocyte and iron-study interpretation. Browser-side reference that pairs with the RPI, TSAT and iron-deficit tools.
- How is Anemia Differential Interpretation calculated? What is the core formula?
- Microcytic < 80 fL, normocytic 80–100, macrocytic > 100 fL; reticulocyte production index > 2–3 = marrow response.
- When is Anemia Differential Interpretation used?
- Frame the anemia workup by cell size and marrow response, then quantify with the dedicated calculators.
- What are the key clinical points for Anemia Differential Interpretation?
- Microcytic: iron deficiency vs thalassaemia vs chronic disease. Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant — falsely raised in inflammation. Reticulocyte index separates haemolysis/blood loss from underproduction. Macrocytosis: check B12/folate, alcohol/liver disease, hypothyroidism, MDS.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Anemia Differential Interpretation?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Anemia Differential Interpretation calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: View By MCV → Result: Differential By MCV（Microcytic < 80 fL: Iron deficiency, thalassaemia, chronic disease (some), sideroblastic, Normocytic 80–100: Acute blood loss, chronic disease, haemolysis, renal, marrow, Macrocytic > 100: Megaloblastic (B12/folate), alcohol/liver disease, hypothyroidism, MDS, high reticulocytes） Inputs: View Reticulocyte / iron → Result: Differential Reticulocyte / iron（Reticulocyte index (RPI): > 2–3 marrow compensation (blood loss/haemolysis); < 2 underproduction (see 'RPI'), Iron studies: Ferritin (falsely ↑ in inflammation), TSAT (see tool)）