Iron Deficiency Anemia: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

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Iron Deficiency Anemia: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 25-year-old woman comes to the office due to fatigue and dizziness for the past several months. She works as a nurse and finds it increasingly difficult to complete her shifts. The patient reports heavy menstrual periods lasting 7-8 days each month. She has no significant medical history and is not on any medications. Blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg and pulse is 75/min. BMI is 22 kg/m². Physical examination reveals pale conjunctivae and spoon-shaped nails. Hemoglobin is 8.5 g/dL. Which of the following sets of additional laboratory findings is most likely to be seen in this patient?

A. Low ferritin, high TIBC, low serum iron
B. High ferritin, low TIBC, high serum iron
C. Low ferritin, low TIBC, high serum iron
D. High ferritin, high TIBC, low serum iron
E. Low ferritin, high TIBC, high serum iron

Answer and topic summary

The answer is A. Low ferritin, high TIBC, low serum iron

The most likely additional laboratory findings in this patient are low ferritin, high total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and low serum iron, which are indicative of iron deficiency anemia. Her history of heavy menstrual periods and symptoms of fatigue and pallor suggest chronic blood loss leading to iron deficiency. Ferritin is a marker of iron stores, and low levels indicate depletion of iron reserves. High TIBC reflects increased capacity of the blood to bind iron due to low iron levels.

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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Hematology ⇒ Cytopenias ⇒ Anemias ⇒ Iron deficiency

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