Prevalence of hypochromia (without microcytosis) vs microcytosis (without hypochromia) in iron deficiency

The usefulness of hypochromia (MCH less than or equal to 26pg) and microcytosis (MCV less than or equal to 80 fl) as indicators of iron deficiency was examined in 365 geriatric patients aged 67-96 years with either one or both or these characteristics. Of these, 201 proved to be iron deficient with a serum ferritin of 18 mu g/l. There was a highly significant difference (P < 0.001) between the proportion of iron deficient patients with a mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCR) < 26 pg tin the presence of a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) greater than or equal to 80 (fl) vs, counterparts with MCV < 80 fl (in the presence of MCH greater than or equal to 26 pg), Fifteen per cent of the 201 iron deficient subjects were also shown to have coexisting vitamin B12 deficiency. There was a comparable (16 %) prevalence of this haematinic deficiency in the subgroup of 31 iron deficient patients with MCH < 26 pg in the presence of MCH greater than or equal to 80 fl.