Question
A 26-year-old female complains of severe fatigue and myalgia. Examination reveals pallor and mild splenomegaly. Haematological investigations are shown below: Haemoglobin - 10 g/dL Peripheral smear - Microcytic hypochromic picture with anisocytosis Reticulocyte count - 5% Serum ferritin - 300 microgram/L What is the most likely underlying diagnosis?
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CMS 2026 Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and PSM Question Paper (02-Aug-2026)
The correct answer is
β-Thalassemia
Microcytic hypochromic anemia with a normal/high serum ferritin (excluding iron deficiency) plus splenomegaly and an elevated reticulocyte count (indicating a compensated haemolytic process) points to β-thalassemia (trait/intermedia) rather than iron deficiency, which would show low ferritin and low reticulocyte count.
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