Hematopoietic

J.D. is a 37 years old white woman who presents to her gynecologist complaining of a 2-month history of intermenstrual bleeding, menorrhagia, increased urinary frequency, mild incontinence, extreme fatigue, and weakness. Her menstrual period occurs every 28 days and lately there have been 6 days of heavy flow and cramping. She denies abdominal distension, back-ache, and constipation. She has not had her usual energy levels since before her last pregnancy.

Past Medical History (PMH):
Upon reviewing her past medical history, the gynecologist notes that her patient is a G5P5with four pregnancies within four years, the last infant having been delivered vaginally four months ago. All five pregnancies were unremarkable and without delivery complications. All infants were born healthy. Patient history also reveals a 3-year history of osteoarthritis in the left knee, probably the result of sustaining significant trauma to her knee in an MVA when she was 9 years old. When asked what OTC medications she is currently taking for her pain and for how long she has been taking them, she reveals that she started taking ibuprofen, three tablets each day, about 2.5 years ago for her left knee. Due to a slowly progressive increase in pain and a loss of adequate relief with three tablets, she doubled the daily dose of ibuprofen. Upon the recommendation from her nurse practitioner and because long-term ibuprofen use can cause peptic ulcers, she began taking OTC omeprazole on a regular basis to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding. Patient history also reveals a 3-year history of HTN for which she is now being treated with a diuretic and a centrally acting antihypertensive drug. She has had no previous surgeries.

Case Study Questions

Name the contributing factors on J.D that might put her at risk to develop iron deficiency anemia.
Within the case study, describe the reasons why J.D. might be presenting constipation and or dehydration.
Why Vitamin B12 and folic acid are important on the erythropoiesis? What abnormalities their deficiency might cause on the red blood cells?
The gynecologist is suspecting that J.D. might be experiencing iron deficiency anemia.
In order to support the diagnosis, list and describe the clinical symptoms that J.D. might have positive for Iron deficiency anemia.
If the patient is diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, what do you expect to find as signs of this type of anemia? List and describe.

Full Answer Section

     
  1. Diuretic use: Diuretics can lead to dehydration, which can affect red blood cell production and worsen anemia.
  2. Underlying osteoarthritis: This chronic inflammatory condition can contribute to anemia through several mechanisms, including increased blood loss, altered nutrient absorption, and reduced activity levels.

Possible Reasons for Constipation and Dehydration:

  • Iron deficiency anemia: Anemia can cause fatigue and decreased activity, leading to constipation.
  • Diuretic use: Diuretics cause increased urine output, which can lead to dehydration and constipation.
  • NSAID use: NSAIDs can also contribute to constipation and dehydration.
  • Postpartum period: Hormonal changes and reduced activity after childbirth can lead to constipation.

Importance of Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid in Erythropoiesis:

  • Vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. They are crucial for the proper maturation and development of red blood cells.
  • Deficiency in either vitamin can lead to megaloblastic anemia, characterized by abnormally large, immature red blood cells that are ineffective in carrying oxygen.

Potential Clinical Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia in J.D.:

  • Fatigue and weakness: These are common symptoms due to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.
  • Pale skin and mucous membranes: This reflects a decrease in hemoglobin, the protein that gives red blood cells their color and carries oxygen.
  • Headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath: These symptoms are also associated with decreased oxygen delivery.
  • Brittle nails and hair loss: These can occur due to impaired cell growth and division.
  • Restless legs syndrome: This can be a symptom of iron deficiency or other underlying conditions.

Signs of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Diagnostic Tests:

  • Complete blood count (CBC): This will show low hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), indicating microcytic (small) red blood cells.
  • Serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation: These tests assess iron stores, with low iron and ferritin and low transferrin saturation suggesting iron deficiency.
  • Reticulocyte count: This measures the production of new red blood cells. A low reticulocyte count indicates impaired iron utilization for red blood cell production.

Remember, this is not a diagnosis and J.D. should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Sample Answer

   

Contributing Factors to Iron Deficiency Anemia in J.D.:

  1. Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding): This can lead to significant blood loss and depletion of iron stores.
  2. Recent pregnancy and postpartum period: Pregnancy and lactation increase iron demands for both mother and child. Depletion is likely if iron stores were not optimal beforehand.
  3. Multiparous (G5P5): Having five pregnancies in four years further increases the risk of iron deficiency due to repeated demands on iron stores.
  4. Long-term NSAID use (ibuprofen): Chronic NSAID use can irritate the stomach and intestines, increasing the risk of blood loss and impairing iron absorption.