What causes high red blood cells & low iron? my rbc are 5.72, hematocrit 46.3, iron 43, iron saturation 12.1, ferritin 42, tibc 355, transferrin 284

Low iron is related : to low dietary intake or from slow blood loss. Your serum iron and iron binding capacity suggests that your iron is low, but your Ferritin, which is a test of cell storage iron is normal for men (20-500) The rbc of 5.72 and Hct of 46 are normal. Anemia, or low rbc and Hct, are late findings after most iron stores are depleted. See https://www.healthline.com/health/ferritin