What are Anemia of Chronic Disease biomarkers

Testing for anemia of chronic disease shows how ongoing inflammation restricts red blood cell building. These biomarkers reveal whether iron is available, how the body is transporting and storing it, and how the bone marrow is responding. Serum iron and transferrin saturation reflect circulating iron ready for hemoglobin assembly. Ferritin shows stored iron inside cells and often rises with inflammation (acute-phase storage protein). Transferrin falls when the liver shifts away from iron transport (negative acute-phase protein). Hepcidin, made by the liver, is the key hormonal brake that traps iron in macrophages and blocks gut absorption (iron-regulatory peptide). The soluble transferrin receptor mirrors cellular iron demand and marrow uptake, helping distinguish true iron lack from iron lock-up (sTfR). Hemoglobin and the reticulocyte count capture marrow output, while erythropoietin indicates the kidney’s red cell growth signal (EPO). Inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein trace the cytokine drive. Together, these tests map an iron-restricted state created by inflammation and clarify the biological bottlenecks that can be addressed.

Why is blood testing for Anemia of Chronic Disease important?

• Identify whether your anemia stems from chronic inflammation or true iron deficiency.
• Spot inflammation-driven iron lockup: high ferritin, low iron, low saturation, low TIBC.
• Clarify inflammation burden with a higher CRP/albumin ratio supporting anemia of chronic disease.
• Differentiate iron deficiency when ferritin drops and TIBC rises, confirming low iron stores.
• Explain fatigue, brain fog, or breathlessness by showing low hemoglobin from inflammation.
• Guide treatment choices: treat inflammation first, use iron strategically, avoid unnecessary supplements.
• Protect fertility and pregnancy by ensuring iron availability and stable hemoglobin during inflammation.
• Track progress as hemoglobin and saturation improve while the CRP/albumin ratio falls.

What insights will I get?

Anemia of Chronic Disease (ACD) blood testing provides insight into how your body manages iron and red blood cell production in the context of long-term inflammation or illness. This matters because red blood cells carry oxygen to every tissue, supporting energy, metabolism, brain function, heart health, and immune defense. At Superpower, we assess Hemoglobin, Ferritin, Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), Percent Saturation, and the CRP/Albumin Ratio to understand this complex interplay.

Hemoglobin is the main protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen. Ferritin reflects your body’s iron stores. Iron measures the circulating iron available for making new red blood cells. TIBC indicates the blood’s capacity to bind iron, while Percent Saturation shows how much of that capacity is actually filled. The CRP/Albumin Ratio is a marker of inflammation, with higher values suggesting more active or chronic inflammatory processes.

In ACD, inflammation disrupts normal iron handling. Hemoglobin levels are often low, signaling reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. Ferritin may appear normal or high, as iron becomes trapped in storage and unavailable for use. Blood iron is typically low, while TIBC is also low or normal—unlike other forms of anemia, where TIBC usually rises. Percent Saturation drops, reflecting less iron available for red blood cell production. An elevated CRP/Albumin Ratio confirms the presence of inflammation, which is central to ACD.

Interpretation of these markers can be influenced by factors such as age, pregnancy, acute illness, chronic disease, certain medications, and laboratory methods. These variables can shift results, so context is essential for accurate understanding.