Which lab values are typically normal in cases of anemia associated with chronic disease?

In cases of anemia associated with chronic disease, certain laboratory values typically remain within normal ranges. Specifically, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and ferritin levels are generally normal.

MCV reflects the average size of red blood cells. In anemia of chronic disease, the red blood cells are often normocytic, which means they are of a normal size, leading to a normal MCV. This can be contrasted with other types of anemia, such as iron deficiency anemia, where MCV may be low due to microcytic red blood cells.

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, and in anemia of chronic disease, the body often retains iron despite the presence of anemia. This is due to inflammatory factors that affect iron metabolism and sequestration. As a result, ferritin levels usually remain normal or can even be elevated, distinguishing this type of anemia from iron deficiency anemia, where ferritin levels would typically be low.

The other lab values mentioned in the other choices may not have the same consistent normal ranges in anemia associated with chronic disease. Vitamin B12 and folate levels can be low due to malnutrition or malabsorption, whereas vitamin D and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) might also show abnormal results under different circumstances,