IDA

Question 1

What is microcytic anemia?

Answer 1

Anemia where red blood cells (RBCs) have an MCV below the normal limit (<80 fL) typically smaller than the nucleus of a lymphocyte.

Question 2

What are common causes of microcytic anemia?

Answer 2

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) thalassemia

Question 3

How is anemia classified?

Answer 3

By etiology (increased loss decreased production

Question 4

What are the normal values for RBC indices?

Answer 4

MCV: 80-100 fL MCH: 27-32 pg

Question 5

What are RBC indices?

Answer 5

Measurements that provide information on RBC size
shape

Question 6

What does low MCV indicate?

Answer 6

Microcytic anemia commonly associated with iron deficiency or thalassemia.

Question 7

What does low MCH and MCHC suggest?

Answer 7

Hypochromic anemia often seen in iron deficiency anemia.

Question 8

What is the main cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) globally?

Answer 8

Insufficient dietary intake poor absorption

Question 9

What are common dietary sources of iron?

Answer 9

Animal sources (meat liver

Question 10

What is the average daily dietary iron absorption rate?

Answer 10

5-15% which can increase to 20-30% during deficiency or pregnancy.

Question 11

Where does iron absorption mainly occur?

Answer 11

In the duodenum and upper jejunum facilitated by a low pH environment.

Question 12

What protein transports iron across the intestinal brush border?

Answer 12

Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1).

Question 13

What happens to iron in the enterocyte?

Answer 13

It is either stored as ferritin or transported to the plasma by ferroportin.

Question 14

What is the role of transferrin in iron transport?

Answer 14

A liver-produced glycoprotein that transports ferric iron (Fe3+) to tissues particularly the bone marrow.

Question 15

What is total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)?

Answer 15

The iron-binding sites on all circulating transferrin molecules; typically about 30% occupied.

Question 16

Which groups have the highest daily iron requirements?

Answer 16

Pregnant women adolescents

Question 17

What is ferritin?

Answer 17

A water-soluble iron storage protein complex that releases iron for hemoglobin synthesis when needed.

Question 18

What is hemosiderin?

Answer 18

A water-insoluble iron storage complex stored in bone marrow

Question 19

What causes increased demand for iron?

Answer 19

lactation Pregnancy

Question 20

What are the stages of iron deficiency anemia development?

Answer 20

Negative iron balance latent iron deficiency (depleted stores but normal erythropoiesis)

Question 21

What are the three main effects of iron deficiency?

Answer 21

General anemia symptoms epithelial tissue changes

Question 22

What are common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 22

Weakness easy fatiguability

Question 23

What are characteristic epithelial changes in severe iron deficiency?

Answer 23

Koilonychia angular stomatitis

Question 24

What is Plummer-Vinson syndrome?

Answer 24

A condition with iron deficiency dysphagia

Question 25

What behavioral symptoms are linked to iron deficiency?

Answer 25

Intellectual impairment hyperactivity

Question 26

What lab findings suggest iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 26

Low PCV MCV

Question 27

What is observed on bone marrow examination in IDA?

Answer 27

Micronormoblastic erythropoiesis defective hemoglobinization

Question 28

What is serum ferritin’s role in IDA diagnosis?

Answer 28

Reflects iron stores; low in IDA but can be falsely elevated in inflammation or malignancy.

Question 29

How does transferrin receptor level change in IDA?

Answer 29

It increases as cells shed more transferrin receptors into plasma due to low iron.

Question 30

What is the main treatment for IDA?

Answer 30

Correction of underlying cause oral iron (ferrous sulfate)

Question 31

What is the expected response to iron therapy in IDA?

Answer 31

Reticulocytosis within 3-7 days Hb rise by 1-2 g/dL in 4 weeks

Question 32

What are potential causes of non-response to iron therapy?

Answer 32

Poor compliance continued bleeding