History

This is a 57 year-old man from Cambodia referred to your clinic for evaluation of microcytic anemia. The patient does not know why he is here today. He denies a known history of anemia or hemoglobinopathy. He has never received a blood transfusion. He denies fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath on exertion, headache, pica, leg cramping, hair loss, brittle nails, early satiety, abdominal fullness/pain, fevers, night sweats, or weight loss. He plays basketball twice per week. He has a history of colonic polyps and diverticulosis. His father died of unknown cause. His mother, 8 siblings and 3 children are alive and well. There is no known family history of anemia, thalassemia or other hemoglobinopathy. He is a non-smoker and drinks about 2 beers per week. He is not taking any medication and he has no known allergies to medicines.