- Published on
Pathology - Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia is most likely linked to GI hemorrhage. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common anemia, typically due to loss of iron from chronic bleeding; however, decreased intake, increased utilization (pregnant women, infants), malabsorptive disorders (celiac’s disease), and some hemoglobinopathies (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria) can also be causative. As iron reserves drop, so does serum ferritin (which is the protein bound physiologically accessible form of iron). The TIBC of transferrin increases to maximize use of available iron; nevertheless, the fraction of saturated binding sites decreases due to shortage of available iron. In summary, test data demonstrate decreased serum iron, ferritin, and hemoglobin saturation with increased TIBC. Any unexplained iron-deficiency anemia in an older patient (postmenopausal woman) with a positive FOBT should trigger a colonoscopy to rule-out colon cancer. TSH is tested to rule-out hypothyroidism and liver function tests to screen for harmful side effects of simvastatin as causes of the patient’s presenting problems.
Iron-deficiency anemia is most likely linked to GI hemorrhage. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common anemia, typically due to loss of iron from chronic bleeding; however, decreased intake, increased utilization (pregnant women, infants), malabsorptive disorders (celiac’s disease), and some hemoglobinopathies (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria) can also be causative. As iron reserves drop, so does serum ferritin (which is the protein bound physiologically accessible form of iron). The TIBC of transferrin increases to maximize use of available iron; nevertheless, the fraction of saturated binding sites decreases due to shortage of available iron. In summary, test data demonstrate decreased serum iron, ferritin, and hemoglobin saturation with increased TIBC. Any unexplained iron-deficiency anemia in an older patient (postmenopausal woman) with a positive FOBT should trigger a colonoscopy to rule-out colon cancer. TSH is tested to rule-out hypothyroidism and liver function tests to screen for harmful side effects of simvastatin as causes of the patient’s presenting problems.
0 Comments
