Understanding Conflicting Lab Results: Anemia & Normal Iron Levels

Question
Hello, thank you for taking my question. I am confused about lab results I got. The ER says my lab results are all perfect--yet my doctor says I am anemic. I looked at the lab results and it says no anemia, iron normal at 41 on a scale of 28-170--but the next page says hemoglobin if low at 11.8L (12-16 normal) and mean corpuscular volume is low 79.6 (normal is 80-100) and mean corpuscuar hemoglobin is low 25.8 (normal is 28-34). Then another page says  ferritn level 5 (20-150)normal. So my doctor put me on one iron tablet 65mg (not prescription) daily. Why did one dr say I was fine and another say I was anemic. Why did my results say iron is normal but the other stuff is low?

Answer
Hi Clara.  I agree with YOUR doctor.  The ER doctor may have said, depending on the reason that you were in the emergency room, that your results didn't show anything pertaining to the reason for your visit.  Yes, your iron level is normal, but your ferritin is very low.  Ferritin is a better indicator of anemia because it shows the amount of iron stored in the body.  Also, your low hemoglobin, low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and low mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) all point to iron deficiency anemia.  After a few weeks of taking the iron tablet, your doctor will probably re-check your lab results and he/she may adjust the amount of iron, if needed.

Samantha