Mentzer index
Helps distinguish thalassaemia trait from iron-deficiency anaemia in microcytosis using the blood count alone.
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Check the population, units and version. The result shows the formula or classification; it does not make an automatic treatment decision.
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Method · Limits of application
Mentzer 1973: MCV/red cells, millions/µL; screening rule, not diagnosis
Mentzer index is a screening rule in microcytosis, calculated with MCV in fL and red blood cells in millions/µL, not the raw count per µL. It does not confirm iron deficiency or thalassemia trait. The Hoffmann 2015 meta-analysis showed that discriminant indices do not have 100% sensitivity and specificity and, collectively, performed better in adults than in children. Suggestive results require confirmatory investigation; identical accuracy in every population is not assumed.
Conditions of use
Check the population, units, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and version in the original source. A result alone does not establish a diagnosis, discharge decision or prescription.
Documented parameters
- Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) · fL
- Red blood cells · million/µL
3/3 reference cases checked. Numerical tests are not clinical validation.
Relationship with cancer research
General context — relationship to be defined
A resource for general clinical contexts. This edition does not assign a specific oncological relationship; selecting it for a study requires a justified question, population and purpose.