What is the investigation of choice for chronic microcytosis in an asymptomatic Mediterranean man?

In the case of chronic microcytosis, particularly in an asymptomatic Mediterranean man, the investigation of choice is hemoglobin electrophoresis. This is primarily because individuals from Mediterranean backgrounds are at a higher risk of thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies, which can present with microcytic anemias.

Hemoglobin electrophoresis allows for the separation of different types of hemoglobin in the blood, thereby helping to identify abnormal hemoglobin variants such as those seen in thalassemia or sickle cell disease. Since this individual is asymptomatic, assessing for a genetic hemoglobin disorder is crucial, and hemoglobin electrophoresis is a non-invasive, effective test to elucidate the specific cause of microcytosis.

While a complete blood count provides useful information regarding blood cell parameters, it does not specifically address the underlying hemoglobinopathies that may be causing microcytosis. A bone marrow biopsy is usually reserved for cases of unexplained anemia or where a hematological malignancy is suspected, thus not appropriate in this scenario. The serum ferritin test is helpful for evaluating iron status, but in the context of microcytosis related to thalassemia or other hemoglobinopathies, it would