Lab Clues
What ferritin level confirms iron deficiency?
Answer: Less than 30 ng/mL
Which IV iron requires a test dose?
Answer: Iron dextran (INFeD)
Which population should always be evaluated for GI malignancy when IDA is diagnosed?
Answer: Adult men and postmenopausal women
What labs should be rechecked 4-8 weeks after IV iron?
Answer: Hgb, Ferritin, TSAT
What dietary risk factor contributed to this patient's anemia?
Answer: Vegetarian diet (low heme iron)
What does TSAT < 20% indicate?
Answer: Reduced iron availability
Which IV iron has a black box warning?
Answer: Ferumoxytol (Feraheme)
Which iron study is most reliable during inflammation?
Answer: Soluble transferrin receptor
When should oral iron be avoided?
Answer: In cases of GI intolerance or malabsorption
Which environmental exposure worsened her anemia despite normal iron labs?
Answer: Lead poisoning
When is TIBC elevated?
Answer: In classic iron deficiency
Which IV iron can be given over 15 minutes without a test dose?
Answer: Injectafer
What MCV cutoff suggests microcytosis?
Answer: Less than 80 fL
What is the ICD-10 code for iron deficiency anemia?
Answer: D50.9
Why might her ferritin and CBC be normal despite symptomatic anemia?
Answer: Lead interferes with heme synthesis without reducing iron stores early on