My Approach to Anemia

9/23/2013

7 Comments

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7 Comments

Ellen Lovelace link

3/10/2015 03:31:50 am

So interesting Nikki, I wish more doctors knew about and put this into practice!

Dr. DiNezza link

3/10/2015 11:29:18 am

You and me both, Ellen!

Sandra

3/10/2015 05:30:12 am

Informative article. I am curious, what will having your TIBC tested show differently? Will it specifically say what type of anemia you are dealing with?

Dr. DiNezza link

3/10/2015 11:28:47 am

Hello, Sandra

TIBC is the marker needed to differentiate a true iron deficiency from something called anemia of inflammation (also called anemia of chronic disease). Unfortunately, most physicians don't run this marker, which leads to a lot of people unnecessarily taking Iron. Think of TIBC as how "hungry" your body is for Iron- the higher it is, the more your body wants Iron. Thus, a high TIBC indicates a true Fe deficiency, while a TIBC that is normal (along with other anemia markers) may indicate anemia of inflammation.

Caroline link

10/6/2017 12:21:58 pm

If TIBC is normal, does that mean it is true anemia? IF TIBC is not normal does that mean it is anemia of inflammation or vice vera? Please explain! thanks!

Dr. Nicole DiNezza, DC, NTP link

10/6/2017 12:40:28 pm

Hi, Caroline!

The criteria for anemia are low RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Everything else (MCV, MCHC, RDW, Ferritin, TIBC, Iron Sat) just tells you what type of anemia it is. Here's my explanation of TIBC from a previous comment:

"TIBC is the marker needed to differentiate a true iron deficiency from something called anemia of inflammation (also called anemia of chronic disease). Unfortunately, most physicians don't run this marker, which leads to a lot of people unnecessarily taking Iron. Think of TIBC as how "hungry" your body is for Iron- the higher it is, the more your body wants Iron. Thus, a high TIBC indicates a true Fe deficiency, while a TIBC that is normal (along with other anemia markers) may indicate anemia of inflammation."

Britt

5/20/2019 11:58:45 am

I'm interested in what you might know about refractory anemia? Are there functional approaches to helping someone whose body is making insufficient red blood cells?

My Approach to Anemia

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