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Determining the cause of anemia. General approach, with emphasis on microcytic hypochromic anemias.
Postgrad Med. 1991 May 01; 89(6):161-4, 167-70.PM

Abstract

In the vast majority of cases, the cause of microcytic hypochromic anemia is clearly suggested by the patient history, physical examination results, red cell indexes, and peripheral blood smear. Thus, further diagnostic testing, if necessary, can be very selective. When the underlying cause of anemia is obscure, the serum ferritin concentration should be measured first. If it is normal or increased, serum iron and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels can be determined. The serum iron level is low in anemias caused by iron deficiency and chronic disease but normal or elevated in those resulting from the thalassemias, hemoglobin E disorders, and lead toxicity. The free erythrocyte protoporphyrin level is elevated with iron deficiency, the anemia of chronic disease, and lead toxicity but normal with thalassemias and hemoglobin E disorders. Results of these two test indicate which of the more specific tests is most likely to yield the correct diagnosis.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Brown RG
McLennan County Medical Education and Research Foundation, Family Practice Residency Program, Waco, Texas.

MeSH

AdolescentAdultAge FactorsAnemiaChildChild, PreschoolDecision TreesDiagnosis, DifferentialEducation, Medical, ContinuingErythrocyte IndicesErythrocytesFemaleFerritinsHematocritHemoglobinsHumansInfantInfant, NewbornIronMaleMedical History TakingPhysical ExaminationProtoporphyrins

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

2020645

Citation

Brown, R G.. "Determining the Cause of Anemia. General Approach, With Emphasis On Microcytic Hypochromic Anemias." Postgraduate Medicine, vol. 89, no. 6, 1991, pp. 161-4, 167-70.
Brown RG. Determining the cause of anemia. General approach, with emphasis on microcytic hypochromic anemias. Postgrad Med. 1991;89(6):161-4, 167-70.
Brown, R. G. (1991). Determining the cause of anemia. General approach, with emphasis on microcytic hypochromic anemias. Postgraduate Medicine, 89(6), 161-4, 167-70.
Brown RG. Determining the Cause of Anemia. General Approach, With Emphasis On Microcytic Hypochromic Anemias. Postgrad Med. 1991 May 1;89(6):161-4, 167-70. PubMed PMID: 2020645.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Determining the cause of anemia. General approach, with emphasis on microcytic hypochromic anemias. A1 - Brown,R G, PY - 1991/5/1/pubmed PY - 1991/5/1/medline PY - 1991/5/1/entrez SP - 161-4, 167-70 JF - Postgraduate medicine JO - Postgrad Med VL - 89 IS - 6 N2 - In the vast majority of cases, the cause of microcytic hypochromic anemia is clearly suggested by the patient history, physical examination results, red cell indexes, and peripheral blood smear. Thus, further diagnostic testing, if necessary, can be very selective. When the underlying cause of anemia is obscure, the serum ferritin concentration should be measured first. If it is normal or increased, serum iron and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels can be determined. The serum iron level is low in anemias caused by iron deficiency and chronic disease but normal or elevated in those resulting from the thalassemias, hemoglobin E disorders, and lead toxicity. The free erythrocyte protoporphyrin level is elevated with iron deficiency, the anemia of chronic disease, and lead toxicity but normal with thalassemias and hemoglobin E disorders. Results of these two test indicate which of the more specific tests is most likely to yield the correct diagnosis. SN - 0032-5481 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/2020645/Determining_the_cause_of_anemia__General_approach_with_emphasis_on_microcytic_hypochromic_anemias_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -