Iron Overload in Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Distinguishing AIHA from Iron Deficiency Anemia

• Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by low ferritin (<30 ng/mL), low Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) (<20%), and elevated Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), in contrast to AIHA which shows high ferritin (often >1000 μg/L), high TSAT (>50%), and normal-low TIBC, according to the American Society of Hematology 1, 2

Transfusional Iron Overload Risk

• Transfusional iron overload can occur after 20-25 transfusions, with each unit of blood containing approximately 200-250 mg of iron, as reported in the journal Blood 3