An 80-year-old patient visits his physician with an elevated serum iron value and a decreased TIBC.The most likely diagnosis in this case is:

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Elevated serum iron and decreased total iron binding capacity (TIBC) suggest iron overload, which is most commonly caused by hemochromatosis in elderly patients with these findings. Iron deficiency anemia would be characterized by a decreased serum iron and TIBC. Chronic inflammation would not typically present with an isolated elevation in serum iron. Acute bleeding ulcer would likely result in a decrease in both serum iron and TIBC due to rapid loss of iron.

An 80-Year-Old Patient Visits His Physician with an Elevated Serum