Which of the following describes the laboratory findings in iron deficiency anemia?

In iron deficiency anemia, the most characteristic laboratory findings include the presence of microcytic hypochromic red blood cells and low ferritin levels. Microcytic means that the red blood cells are smaller than normal, while hypochromic indicates that they have less hemoglobin than normal, resulting in a paler appearance. These changes occur because iron is a critical component of hemoglobin, and its deficiency leads to inadequate production of this protein, affecting red blood cell size and color.

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and low levels indicate that the iron stores are depleted, which is quintessential in iron deficiency anemia. Hence, the detection of low ferritin levels alongside microcytic, hypochromic red cells strongly confirms this form of anemia.

The other options present findings that do not align with the pathophysiology of iron deficiency anemia. For instance, normal red cell size or macrocytic red cells would not be indicative of iron deficiency, as macrocytic anemia is typically associated with deficiencies in vitamin B12 or folate. Similarly, the presence of pancytopenia with elevated white cells would point toward other hematological disorders rather than iron deficiency anemia.