History and Objective: Iron deficiency anemia and minor beta-thalassemia are common causes of microcytic anemia. Due to the high frequency of Iron deficiency anemia especially in developing countries and its multiple complications and importance of its diagnosis and also its differential diagnosis from minor beta-thalassemia, this study was performed on volunteers for marriage referred to Golabchi outpatient clinic in Kashan in order to determine the prevalence of Iron deficiency anemia and minor beta-thalassemia and comparison of their red cells indices.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study all referrers to the clinic were selected by consensus. Anemic individuals were defined by low hemoglobin and/or low MCV and then with the aid of serum Ferritin level and hemoglobin electrophoresis, individuals affected by Iron deficiency anemia and minor beta-thalassemia were detected.

Results: From the 3066 referrers, the prevalence of Iron deficiency anemia and minor beta-thalassemia were 10.76% and 3.22% respectively. Iron deficiency anemia was three times more common in women than men (16.11% versus 5.47%). MCV, RBC count and hemoglobin level showed significant relationship with the type of anemia (P<0.05). Such as most patients with Iron deficiency had MCV more than 70 and normal RBC count, whereas most cases with minor beta-thalassemia had MCV less or equal to 70 and abnormality increased RBC count.

Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia, especially in women, is still common and reserves more attention. Considering the close relationship between RBC indices and kind of anemia, it is recommended that the diagnostic accuracy of RBC indices for differentiation between minor beta-thalassemia and Iron deficiency anemia be evaluated.