Menorrhagia: A Cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Ms. A., a 26-year-old Caucasian female, presents to the emergency clinic with complaints of feeling light-headed while playing in a golf tournament on a mountainous course. She also reports having increased shortness of breath and decreased energy as well as low enthusiasm. Ms. A. reports a history of menorrhagia and dysmenorrheal for the last 10-12 years and for 6 days during her menstrual cycle she takes 1gm of aspirin every 3 to 4 hours. She also reports taking aspirin for stiff joints in the summer while playing golf. Lab results show a low hemoglobin of 8g/dl, hematocrit of 32%, and a erythrocyte count of 3.1 x 10/mm. The reticulocyte count of 1.5% is at the high end of normal and the red blood cell (RBC) smear shows microcytic and hypochromic cells. Based on the circumstances, history, and lab results Ms. A is demonstrating signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia (Copstead-Kirkhorn & Banasik, 2014). …show more content…
Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin synthesis and enables oxygen to bind to the hemoglobin to transport the oxygen to the rest of the body (Casiday & Frey, 2000). Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is an inadequate amount of supply of iron, impairing hemoglobin synthesis and results in RBCs that are microcytic (abnormally small), hypochromic (pale), and have a decreased amount of hemoglobin (Alton, 2005). Ultimately leading to an inability of the RBCs to supply an adequate amount of oxygen to the cells and tissues of the
Ms. A., a 26-year-old Caucasian female, presents to the emergency clinic with complaints of feeling light-headed while playing in a golf tournament on a mountainous course. She also reports having increased shortness of breath and decreased energy as well as low enthusiasm. Ms. A. reports a history of menorrhagia and dysmenorrheal for the last 10-12 years and for 6 days during her menstrual cycle she takes 1gm of aspirin every 3 to 4 hours. She also reports taking aspirin for stiff joints in the summer while playing golf. Lab results show a low hemoglobin of 8g/dl, hematocrit of 32%, and a erythrocyte count of 3.1 x 10/mm. The reticulocyte count of 1.5% is at the high end of normal and the red blood cell (RBC) smear shows microcytic and hypochromic cells. Based on the circumstances, history, and lab results Ms. A is demonstrating signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia (Copstead-Kirkhorn & Banasik, 2014). …show more content…
Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin synthesis and enables oxygen to bind to the hemoglobin to transport the oxygen to the rest of the body (Casiday & Frey, 2000). Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is an inadequate amount of supply of iron, impairing hemoglobin synthesis and results in RBCs that are microcytic (abnormally small), hypochromic (pale), and have a decreased amount of hemoglobin (Alton, 2005). Ultimately leading to an inability of the RBCs to supply an adequate amount of oxygen to the cells and tissues of the