All of the following statements about iron deficiency anemia are true except?: (A) Latent iron deficiency is most common presentation in India, (B) Transferrin saturation is less than 16%, (C) Serum ferritin is the earliest marker, (D) It can present without detectable abnormalities
Answer is A. Ans. (a) Latent iron deficiency is most common presentation in India(Ref: Robbins 9th/pg 649-652; 8th/pg 659-662)a. False- Manifest (Anemia), not Latent (pre-anemia) iron deficiency is most common presentation in Indiab. True- Saturation of transferrin is always reduced to <16%. At this level of saturation, iron delivery to erythroid precursors is limited.c. True-Most sensitive marker in iron deficiency anemia is Serum ferritind. True-The onset of iron deficiency anemia is usually insidious & progression of symptoms is gradual. As a result, patients accommodate remarkably well to advancing anemia & may not present with clinical features