title: Malabsorption of iron as a cause of iron deficiency anemia in postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malabsorption is one of the causes of iron deficiency anemia in postmenopausal women. The main objective of this study was to access the frequency of malabsorption in iron deficient anemic postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 123 postmenopausal women were enrolled in the study. Of these 123 women, 50 were included as 'control group' and 73 patients with comparable severity of anemia were the 'patient group'. Two tablets of ferrous sulfate (200 mg/tablet) along with one tablet of vitamin C (500 mg) were given to all participants. Serum iron levels were determined on samples collected from all participants before and after the administration of ferrous sulfate. Difference between before and after serum iron levels of normal and patients were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No change in serum iron between sample one and sample two represented malabsorption. Out of 73, 5 postmenopausal anemic patients showed no change in their serum iron level after the administration of ferrous sulfate. This study shows that frequency of malabsorption of iron in postmenopausal women is 6.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malabsorption should be considered as a prevalent cause of iron deficiency anemia in postmenopausal women. It should be properly diagnosed and iron response should be monitored properly in postmenopausal women with IDA after oral iron therapy. If a postmenopausal woman does not show any response to oral iron therapy, she should be evaluated for iron loss (blood loss and/or malabsorption). Intravenous route should be used for the administration of iron in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Khansa Qamar, M.Phil. (Hematology). Baqai Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Khansa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Qamar
authors.affiliation: Dr. Muhammad Saboor, Ph.D, MT(ASCP ). Baqai Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saboor
authors.affiliation: Fatima Qudsia, M.Phil (Hematology). Baqai Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qudsia
authors.affiliation: Dr. Shafi Muhammad Khosa, MBBS, DCP, M.Phil. Baqai Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shafi Muhammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Khosa
authors.affiliation: Dr. Moinuddin FRCP (C), FRCP (E). Baqai Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.lastname: Moinuddin
authors.affiliation: Dr. Muhammad Usman, Ph.D (Hematology). Baqai Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Usman
keywords: Iron deficiency anemia; Malabsorption; Postmenopausal women