Anemia

Overview

Anemia is a low red blood cell count or hemoglobin. The most common cause in adults is iron deficiency — from menstrual loss, GI loss, or low intake. Clindle workups include CBC, ferritin, iron studies, B12, folate, and a reticulocyte count, treats iron deficiency with oral iron plus vitamin C (or IV iron for malabsorption), and refers GI for new iron deficiency in men or postmenopausal women to rule out a bleeding source. Anemia of chronic disease is managed with the underlying condition.