Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) ASCP Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The anemia of chronic infection is primarily characterized by decreased serum iron levels. This condition is often a result of the body’s response to inflammation or chronic disease, where the immune system creates an environment that restricts the availability of iron. This occurs due to the production of hepcidin, a key hormone that regulates iron metabolism. Elevated hepcidin levels during chronic infections lead to the sequestration of iron in macrophages and suppression of iron absorption in the intestines, ultimately causing a decrease in serum iron.

In this context, it's essential to recognize that, despite the low serum iron, the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is typically reduced as well, indicating that the body is attempting to conserve iron due to the ongoing inflammatory process. Therefore, the hallmark feature of anemia of chronic infection is indeed the decreased serum iron levels.