. CBC (Complete Blood Count)
- Measures red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and more.
- Helps identify anemia, its severity, and type (e.g., iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency).
2. Serum Iron
- Determines the amount of iron in the blood.
- Low levels suggest iron deficiency, while high levels can indicate iron overload.
3. TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)
- Measures the blood’s capacity to bind and transport iron.
- High TIBC usually indicates iron deficiency anemia.
4. % Transferrin Saturation
- Indicates how much iron is bound to transferrin (a transport protein).
- Helps differentiate between iron deficiency anemia and other causes of anemia.
5. Vitamin B12
- Essential for red blood cell production and nervous system health.
- Low levels can cause megaloblastic anemia, characterized by large, abnormal red blood cells.
6. Folic Acid (Folate)
- A B-vitamin critical for cell division and DNA synthesis.
- Deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia and may cause fatigue and weakness.
7. Reticulocyte Count
- Measures the number of immature red blood cells (reticulocytes) in the blood.
- Helps evaluate bone marrow activity in producing red blood cells.
8. Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS)
- A microscopic examination of blood cells to assess their shape, size, and appearance.
- Useful for identifying abnormalities like sickle cells, macrocytes, or hypochromic cells that indicate specific types of anemia.