Mnemonics in Hematology

There is two formula for differential diagnosis between " Thalassemia "  and  " Iron deficiency anemia " .

Mentzer's formula :                                      >14  =  Thalassemia

                                       MCV / RBC =    <12  =  Iron deficiency anemia

                                                                   12-14  =  Interminate

Discriminant  function :                                                                 

                   5 Hb  -  MCV - RBC - 2  =    > 0 Thalassemia, < 0   Iron deficiency anemia