Haematology

Mentzer Index

Thalassaemia trait vs iron-deficiency anaemia.

Education and reference only. Not a substitute for clinical judgement, local policy or product labelling. Always verify before clinical use. Values are calculated in your browser and never stored.

When to use

Use in microcytic anaemia to help distinguish thalassaemia trait from iron-deficiency anaemia.

Why use

It is a quick pointer pending confirmatory tests (ferritin, electrophoresis).

Critical actions

A pointer only — confirm with ferritin and, where indicated, haemoglobin electrophoresis. Both conditions can coexist.

Evidence & references

  1. Mentzer WC. Differentiation of iron deficiency from thalassaemia trait. Lancet. 1973.

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