This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Haematology, Subject name: Pathology
The RBC morphology in a peripheral blood smear in thalassemia trait resembles that of - 
Select and explain. 
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, B. Folate deficiency anemia, C. Hereditary spherocytosis, D. Iron deficiency anemia
D: Iron deficiency anemia
Answer: D: Iron deficiency anemia 
Explanation: Recognition of Beta thalasssemia trait is impoant for 2 reasons. 1. superficially resembles the hypochromic microcytic anemia of iron deficiency 2. It has implications for genetic counselling. Iron deficiency can be usually excluded through the measurement of serum iron,total iron binding capacity and serum ferritin. The blood picture in alpha thalassemia is also identical and resembles iron deficiency anaemia. Ref: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic basis of disease.South Asia Edition volume 1.edition 9/e page no. 420-421