A 47-year-old man presents with a 6-week history of increasing fatigue and dark-colored stools. Complete blood count shows hemoglobin of 8.6 g/dL and microcytic, hypochromic RBCs. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy reveals a peptic ulcer along the lesser curvature of the stomach. This patient’s anemia is most likely caused by deficiency of which of the following?
Correct Answer: Iron
Description: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage leads to the loss of heme iron at a rate faster than it is replaced from dietary sources. The result is microcytic hypochromic anemia. The anemias associated with deficiencies of folic acid (choice A) and vitamin B12 (choice D) are macrocytic.Diagnosis: Iron-deficiency anemia
Category:
Pathology
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