Question

Ms. A, a 21-year-old college student, had been a vegetarian since she was 16 years old. Lately, she had been feeling weak and dizzy and has reported tingling in her feet. Her roommate convinced her to go to the college health center. Her complete blood count showed a 9.4 g/dL hemoglobin level and 28% hematocrit.

            a. What type of anemia is the most likely considering her history?

            b. What tests would her doctor likely order?

c. Why are all tumor markers not used to screen the general population for cancer?

Answer 1

a). What type of anemia is the most likely considering her history? – Iron deficiency anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia occurs due to iron deficiency, which can be due to excessive loss or inadequate intake of iron (vegetarian diet). Excessive loss of blood (acute) causes loss of red blood cells, and thus, iron, which lead to anemia.

b). What tests would her doctor likely order?

The doctor is likely to order the complete blood count, blood smear examination, serum iron levels, measuring the ferritin levels, the iron binding capacity, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels.

c). Why are all tumor markers not used to screen the general population for cancer?

The tumor markers are not sensitive or specific for the tumors, so they are not applicable for the general population. However, some of the markers can be used commonly for the patients sharing certain common characteristics (for example, the triple negative breast cancer markers).