Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Create a discussion of a minimum of 300 words with the following

What is the most likely diagnosis for a patient with the following CBC findings? WBC: 8.8 × 103/µl; RBC: 3.01 × 103/µl; Hgb: 10.3 g/dL; Hct: 32.2%; MCV: 74 fL; MCHC: 28.3 g/dL; Plt: 400 × 103/µl; RDW: 18.4%; Reticulocytes: 2.1%.

Identify which anemia is the patient experiencing, which tests should be ordered and what type of treatment should be followed.

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APA

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Most Likely Diagnosis

The provided CBC findings suggest that the patient is most likely experiencing microcytic anemia, with the specific cause being iron deficiency anemia (IDA). This conclusion is supported by the following findings:

• Low RBC count (3.01 × 10³/µL), low hemoglobin (10.3 g/dL), and low hematocrit (32.2%) indicate anemia.
• Low MCV (74 fL) confirms the presence of microcytic anemia.
• Low MCHC (28.3 g/dL) points to hypochromic red blood cells, which is common in iron deficiency.
• Elevated RDW (18.4%) suggests variation in red blood cell size (anisocytosis), a hallmark of IDA as new, smaller cells are produced in response to iron deficiency.
• Normal WBC count (8.8 × 10³/µL) and elevated platelet count (400 × 10³/µL) are often associated with IDA.

Additional Tests to Confirm Diagnosis

To confirm the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and rule out other causes of microcytic anemia, the following tests should be ordered:

1. Serum Ferritin: Low levels confirm iron deficiency.
2. Serum Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Low serum iron with elevated TIBC supports IDA.
3. Transferrin Saturation: Low levels confirm iron depletion.
4. Peripheral Blood Smear: Shows microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells.
5. Stool Occult Blood Test: Identifies gastrointestinal bleeding as a potential cause of chronic blood loss.
6. C-reactive Protein (CRP) or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Rules out anemia of chronic disease, which may coexist with IDA.

Treatment Plan

Treatment for iron deficiency anemia includes:

1. Oral Iron Supplementation:
   • Ferrous sulfate 325 mg taken 1–3 times daily, with vitamin C to enhance absorption.
2. Dietary Modifications:
   • Increase intake of iron-rich foods (e.g., red meat, leafy greens, beans) and vitamin C-rich foods (e.g., citrus fruits).
3. Treat Underlying Cause:
   • If blood loss is identified (e.g., gastrointestinal bleeding), address the source (e.g., endoscopy for ulcers or polyps).
4. Follow-Up:
   • Monitor hemoglobin, hematocrit, and reticulocyte count after 4–6 weeks to assess treatment efficacy.
   • Recheck ferritin levels to ensure iron stores are…