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Ms. A. is an apparently healthy 26-year-old white woman. Since the beginning of the current golf season, Ms. A has noted increased shortness of breath and low levels of energy and enthusiasm. These symptoms seem worse during her menses. Today, while playing in a golf tournament at a high, mountainous course, she became light-headed and was taken by her golfing partner to the emergency clinic. The attending physician’s notes indicated a temperature of 98 degrees F, an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, and low blood pressure. Ms. A states, “Menorrhagia and dysmenorrheal have been a problem for 10-12 years, and I take 1,000 mg of aspirin every 3 to 4 hours for 6 days during menstruation.” During the summer months, while playing golf, she also takes aspirin to avoid “stiffness in my joints.”
Laboratory values are as follows:
Hemoglobin = 8 g/dl
Hematocrit = 32%
Erythrocyte count = 3.1 x 10/mm
RBC smear showed microcytic and hypochromic cells
Reticulocyte count = 1.5%
Other laboratory values were within normal limits.
Question
Considering the circumstances and the preliminary workup, what type of anemia does Ms. A most likely have? In an essay of 500-750 words, explain your answer and include rationale.
Expert Answer
Going through the case study, it seems that Ms. A is suffering from . Iron deficiency anemia occurs when body does not have enough iron required. Iron helps make red blood cells. Iron is a very necessary part of blood which combines with the protein called globulin to form the hemoglobin. Thus iron helps in carrying and storage of oxygen to different part of the body. With the shortage of iron, following symptoms appear.
- Heart palpitations
- Lethargy or Feeling weak or tired more often than usual
- Headaches
These types of people are at more risk of suffering from iron deficiency anemia.
- women of childbearing age
- pregnant women
- people with poor diets
- people who donate blood frequently
- infants and children, especially those born prematurely or experiencing a growth spurt
- vegetarians who don’t replace meat with another iron-rich food
Complete blood cell (CBC) test helps in diagnosing the iron deficiency anemia which consists of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin and platelets.
Iron deficiency Anemia develops due to loss of blood cells that the body can replace, the body not able to absorb iron, if the person is not eating sufficient iron in his/ her diet and the requirement of iron being too heavy for the body during special occasion such as pregnancy.
The loss of blood through the human body occurs through injury, bleeding, long, or frequent menstrual periods, use of aspirin, ibuprofen, or arthritis medicines for a long time, peptic ulcer and particular type of cancers.
Iron deficiency Anemia can be treated by taking iron supplements and a rich diet in iron. Good source of iron in diet are dark-green leafy vegetables, brown rice, pulses and beans, nuts and seeds, meat, fish and tofu, eggs and particular dried fruits.
