Iron deficiency and anemia of chronic disease. Clues to differentiating these conditions.
Iron deficiency occurs when the body's iron stores are exhausted. The source of blood loss leading to iron deficiency must be identified in all cases. Anemia of chronic disease generally results from an infectious, inflammatory, or malignant process. However, in some reported cases, no such process could be identified. Differentiating iron deficiency anemia from anemia of chronic disease may be difficult because of similarities in presentation. Physicians need to be aware of special clinical considerations when these two types of anemia coexist. Ferrous sulfate therapy is the ideal form of iron replacement.
Mohler
E R
ER
Department of Internal Medicine, St Agnes Hospital, Baltimore.
D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D007501:Iron