Hemoglobin A2 level. A proposed test for confirming the diagnosis of iron deficiency

The absolute hemoglobin A2 concentration in mg. per 100 ml. of blood was calculated from the hemoglobin level in Gm. per 100 ml. and hemoglobin A2 percentage for 38 patients with documented iron deficiency, 37 patients with proven beta-thalassemia minor, 26 patients with simple chronic anemia and 40 normal control laboratory workers. The mean hemoglobin A2 concentration (mg. per 100 ml.) in the control group was 459 plus or minus 60 (2 S.D.) and that in the beta-thalassemia group, 766 plus or minus 99. However, in the iron deficiency group it was 229 plus or minus 58, while in the simple chronic anemia group it was 315 plus or minus 39. The mean corpuscular volume (M.C.V.) in cu. mu was 90 plus or minus 8 (2 S.D.) in the normal controls, 68 plus or minus 10 in beta-thalassemia, 69 plus or minus 9 in iron deficiency, and 90 plus or minus 15 in secondary anemia. It is proposed that the absolute hemoglobin A2 level in mg. per 100 ml. of blood taken in conjunction with the M.C.V. is of value in establishing the diagnosis of iron deficiency.