Which laboratory finding is typical of thalassemia?

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Multiple Choice

Which laboratory finding is typical of thalassemia?

Explanation:
Thalassemia causes a chronic microcytic, hypochromic anemia due to reduced synthesis of one globin chain, leading to fewer functional hemoglobin molecules in red cells. The most characteristic lab finding is a decreased hemoglobin concentration, reflecting the overall drop in Hb levels. Ferritin and TIBC aren’t defining features in this context; ferritin can be normal or elevated with iron overload from transfusions, and TIBC is not reliably altered. An increased MCV would contradict the typical microcytosis seen in thalassemia, where MCV is usually decreased.

Thalassemia causes a chronic microcytic, hypochromic anemia due to reduced synthesis of one globin chain, leading to fewer functional hemoglobin molecules in red cells. The most characteristic lab finding is a decreased hemoglobin concentration, reflecting the overall drop in Hb levels.

Ferritin and TIBC aren’t defining features in this context; ferritin can be normal or elevated with iron overload from transfusions, and TIBC is not reliably altered. An increased MCV would contradict the typical microcytosis seen in thalassemia, where MCV is usually decreased.

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