Evaluation of the formulae based on red blood cell indices in differentiating between iron deficiency anemia and beta thalasemia minor

ABSTRACT

Background and Aims: iron deficiency anemia [IDA] and beta thalassemia minor [BTM] are the most common hypochromic microcytic anemias, and it is regarded important to differentiate between them. Several formulae can be taken into consideration based on red blood cell [RBC] parameters in order to distinguish between these two disorders. Hence, the present study intended to evaluate the sensitivity as well as specificity of some of these formulae