suggestion that MCH might be a better indicator than MCV in the identification of IDA in these patients.Furthermore, we would like to mention additional features that may support the preferred use of Hgb content parameters (as opposed to MCH and MCV) in the management of iron deficiency in this patient population. The difference between Ret-Hgb and RBC-Hgb, expressed as ⌬Hgb, provides information on the current iron availability and short-term iron incorporation for erythropoiesis owing to the long life span of mature erythrocytes compared to reticulocytes (3). As a consequence, in the presence of absolute iron deficiency, iron supplementation is expected to substantially raise the Ret-Hgb and ⌬Hgb within several days (4-6), while no effect, or only limited effect, is expected in the pure functional iron deficiency of the inflammatory state (patients with ACD). The combined use of Ret-Hgb and RBC-Hgb might thus prove an indicator of the effectiveness of oral iron supplementation in these patients, and as such, these parameters are promising additional markers for the management of anemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; we are currently investigating this hypothesis.We agree with Dr. Jolobe that laboratories lacking the facilities to assess Hgb content parameters could use MCH (or MCV) in addition to serum hepcidin to diagnose iron deficiency in patients with anemia and chronic inflammation. However, our findings, and the findings of others, suggest that Hgb content parameters can provide added value in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis; more studies are needed to confirm this.