here are some commonly included tests in an anemia panel:
Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC measures different components of blood, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells, and platelets. It provides valuable information such as hemoglobin levels, hematocrit (the percentage of RBCs in the blood), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
Hemoglobin (Hb) and Hematocrit (Hct): Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells. Abnormal levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit can indicate anemia.
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): MCV measures the average size of red blood cells. It helps in classifying anemia into different types, such as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic, based on the size of red blood cells.
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW): RDW measures the variation in size of red blood cells. It can provide additional information about the type and cause of anemia.
Peripheral Blood Smear: A peripheral blood smear is a slide made from a blood sample and examined under a microscope. It allows the evaluation of the appearance, shape, and characteristics of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Iron Studies: Iron studies measure the levels of iron, ferritin (a protein that stores iron), transferrin (a protein that transports iron), and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) in the blood. These tests help assess iron deficiency anemia and other iron-related disorders.
Vitamin B12 and Folate Levels: Deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate can lead to certain types of anemia. Testing these levels helps in diagnosing and managing anemia caused by deficiencies in these vitamins.