Iron Deficiency Anemia: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
A 42-year-old woman presents to the clinic with complaints of fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath on exertion for the past two months. She also reports brittle nails and frequent headaches. She denies any history of heavy menstruation but has a long-standing history of chronic NSAID use for osteoarthritis. Her diet consists mostly of processed foods with minimal intake of red meat or leafy greens. Physical examination reveals pallor and a smooth tongue. Laboratory studies show hemoglobin 9.2 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 72 fL, serum ferritin 8 ng/mL, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) 460 mcg/dL, and transferrin saturation 10%. A serum iron level below which value is most consistent with this patient’s diagnosis?
A. 30 mcg/dL
B. 40 mcg/dL
C. 50 mcg/dL
D. 60 mcg/dL
E. 70 mcg/dL
Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Hematology ⇒ Cytopenias ⇒ Anemias ⇒ Iron deficiency