Anemia Profile Test - Maxi

Test is  done to diagnose anaemia and to identify its causes.
It is done in people who show signs and symptoms of anaemia , who do not respond to the treatment for anaemia , in patients with family history of a hereditary anaemia , in pregnant women , in patients with chronic diseases and chronic infections

Why is the Anemia Profile-Maxi done?

This test is conducted to determine the causes of anaemia and to diagnose it. It is carried out in individuals who exhibit anaemia's warning signs and symptoms like,

• Extreme tiredness.
• Light skin.
• Shortness of breath.
• An accelerated heartbeat.
• Chest pain.
• Headache, lightheadedness, or vertigo.
• Chilly toes and fingers.
• Inflammation of the tongue.
• Broken nails.
• Unusual desires for things like cold, dirt, or starch that are not food.

Other conditions that may entail this test include,

1. Pregnancy.
2. Chronic illnesses.
3. Persistent infections.
4. Non-response to anaemia treatment.
5. Individuals with a history of anaemia in the family.

Profile includes the following group and individual test:
CBC tests for all Blood cells like RBC, WBC and Platelets , their count and morphology along with Hemoglobin level (Hb), RBC indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW) & PDW . 
Serum Iron measures presence of iron in blood. 
Serum transferrin measures iron transport protein transferrin.
TIBC measures Iron binding capacity to Transferrin and other proteins.
Transferrin saturation tells how much Transferrin is bound to iron.
Vitamin B12 test measures Vitamin B12 in serum.
Haemolytic Anaemias are diagnosed by tests like Haptoglobin , Osmotic Fragility , DCT, G6PD and abnormal hemoglobin studies (for hemoglobinopathies). 
Reticulocyte count is useful in monitoring treatment in anaemic patients and also to know the bone marrow activity. CRP , TSH and Creatinine are essential to diagnose anaemias due to Chronic Diseases and Infections.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

As per WHO , women with Hb < 12mg/dL & men with Hb <13mg/dL are considered anaemic. 
In Iron deficiency anaemia Hb , serum Iron, ferritin  levels, transferrin saturation are low and TIBC level is high.
In anaemia of chronic disease Hb, serum Iron, transferrin saturation ,TIBC are low with high ferritin. 
Other investigations like G6PD, Haptoglobin, Osmotic Fragility, DCT are abnormal in Haemolytic Anaemia. Abnormal Hb studies can detect Sickle cell & Thalassemia. 
CRP when high indicates Infection and Inflammation. 
Creatinine if increased  indicates abnormality in kidney function.

Men and women who have haemoglobin levels below 13 mg/dL are deemed anaemic by the WHO.

1. Hb, serum iron, ferritin levels, and transferrin saturation are all low in iron deficiency anaemia, whereas TIBC values are high.
2. Hb, serum Iron, transferrin saturation, and TIBC are all low with a high ferritin level in chronic anaemia.
3. In hemolytic anaemia, other tests such as G6PD, haptoglobin, osmotic fragility, and DCT are abnormal. Sickle cell and thalassemia are both detectable by abnormal Hb tests.
4. When CRP is elevated, infection and inflammation are indicated.
5. Increased creatinine is a sign of impaired renal function.

Before the test, your doctor may advise you to adhere to the following precautions -

1. 8-12 hours before the exam, you might be asked to fast.
2. 48 hours before the test, avoid taking folic acid, vitamin B12, or iron supplements.
3. 72 hours before the test, refrain from using biotin.
4. Let your doctor know if you are using any drugs, herbs, or supplements.

Haemoglobin levels of 13.5-17.5 g/dL of blood in men and 12-15.5 g/dL in women are considered normal.

To diagnose iron deficiency anaemia, doctors may do a series of tests, monitoring different blood levels as well as indicators of other underlying conditions. These are,

1. A complete blood work.
2. Serum iron test.
3. Ferritin test.
4. Total iron binding.
5. Peripheral smear.

Iron Deficiency Anemia, Macrocytic Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, Pernicious Anemia, CBC, Reticulocyte Count, Iron, TIBC, Transferrin Saturation, Vitamin B12, CRP, Abnormal Hb Studies, Folate(Serum&RBC), Ferritin, G6PD, Haptoglobulin, Osmotic Fragility, DCT, TSH, Creatinine