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System

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DiseaseHematology

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Recall: Pathophysiology · S/Sx · Gold Standard Dx · First-line Tx · Pearl

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DiseaseHematology

Pathophysiology: ↓ iron stores → ↓ hemoglobin synthesis → microcytic, hypochromic anemia; chronic blood loss is the most common cause.
S/Sx: Fatigue, pallor, dyspnea; pica, koilonychia, glossitis; history of menorrhagia or GI bleeding.
Gold Standard Dx: Microcytic anemia (↓ MCV); ↓ ferritin (most specific), ↓ serum iron, ↑ TIBC.
First-line Tx: Oral iron supplementation; identify and treat the source of blood loss.

↓ Ferritin is the most specific test; in older adults, IDA is GI malignancy until proven otherwise.