In iron deficiency anemia, which change is likely to occur first?

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Multiple Choice

In iron deficiency anemia, which change is likely to occur first?

Iron stores are depleted first in iron deficiency anemia, and ferritin directly reflects those stores. When stores run low, ferritin levels fall before circulating iron or transport proteins change noticeably. This early drop signals the initial stage of deficiency, whereas transferrin levels rise and TIBC increases as a later compensatory response to iron scarcity. Serum iron tends to fall after stores are already diminished. Therefore, the earliest change you’d expect is a decreased ferritin level.

Iron stores are depleted first in iron deficiency anemia, and ferritin directly reflects those stores. When stores run low, ferritin levels fall before circulating iron or transport proteins change noticeably. This early drop signals the initial stage of deficiency, whereas transferrin levels rise and TIBC increases as a later compensatory response to iron scarcity. Serum iron tends to fall after stores are already diminished. Therefore, the earliest change you’d expect is a decreased ferritin level.

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