Which condition is associated with low serum iron and high total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)?

Low serum iron and high total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) are classic findings associated with iron deficiency anemia. In this condition, the body does not have sufficient iron available for the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells. As the body's iron stores diminish, the liver response involves increasing the production of transferrin, which is the main protein that binds iron and transports it in the bloodstream. This increase in transferrin results in an elevated TIBC, indicating that the body is attempting to capture more iron to meet its needs.

On the other hand, in some other conditions, such as chronic disease anemia or hemochromatosis, the patterns of serum iron and TIBC can differ significantly. In chronic disease anemia, there may be low serum iron, but the TIBC is typically low as well because of the inflammatory response that decreases transferrin production. Hemochromatosis is a condition of iron overload, where both serum iron and TIBC would typically be low, as the body does not need to capture more iron. Thalassemia, while also showing altered iron parameters, is characterized by different mechanisms of anemia and does not present with low serum iron and high TIBC as well.

Therefore, the combination of low serum