What lab values are decreased with anemia of chronic disease?

In anemia of chronic disease, the correct lab values that are decreased include hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), serum iron (Serum Fe), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). This condition is characterized by a systematic response to inflammation, infection, or malignancy, which alters iron metabolism and utilization.

The decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit reflects the overall reduction in red blood cell production and oxygen-carrying capacity due to the anemia. Serum iron levels drop because, during chronic disease states, the body sequesters iron to limit its availability for pathogens. MCH is reduced due to lower iron availability, leading to smaller and less hemoglobin-rich red blood cells. TIBC is also decreased because the liver produces less transferrin in response to inflammation, reflecting a body-wide increase in hepcidin, the hormone that regulates iron homeostasis.

Other answer choices implicate various nutrients or blood parameters that are not typically reduced in the context of anemia of chronic disease, such as folate and vitamin B12 levels, which are more relevant in specific types of anemia like megaloblastic anemia. Thus, option A accurately reflects the changes in lab values specifically