Key Takeaways

✅ In patients with suspected or known anemia, ask about symptoms that are generic to anemia.

✅ In patients with suspected or established anemia of unknown cause, ask about history or symptoms related to different etiologies.

✅ In patients with suspected iron deficiency anemia, directly inquire about pica, restless legs and hair loss.

✅ In patients with suspected iron deficiency anemia, ask about history or symptoms related to causes of iron deficiency.

✅ Common causes include bleeding and malabsorption (Celiac disease, bariatric surgery).

✅ Iron deficiency anemia may be associated with microcytosis and hypochromia as well as elevated RDW (anisocytosis).

✅ Treatment of iron deficiency anemia involves replenishing iron stores with oral or IV iron.

✅ Red cell transfusion may be called for in cases of severe, symptomatic anemia.